Effect of microstrain on the magnetic properties of BiFeO{sub 3} nanoparticles

Journal Article · Mon Sep 29 04:00:00 EDT 2014 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4897143· OSTI ID:22350806

Mocherla, Pavana S. V.; Karthik, C.; Ubic, R. ^[1]; Ramachandra Rao, M. S. ^[2]

---

1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, Idaho 83725 (United States)
2. Department of Physics and Nano Functional Materials Technology Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036 (India)

We report on size induced microstrain-dependent magnetic properties of BiFeO{sub 3} nanoparticles. The microstrain is found to be high (ε > 0.3%) for smaller crystallite sizes (d < 30 nm), and shows a sharp decrease as the particle size increases. The presence of pseudo-cubic symmetry is evidenced for these nanoparticles. Raman spectral studies suggest straightening of the Fe-O-Fe bond angle accompanied by a decrease in FeO{sub 6} octahedral rotation for d < 65 nm. The magnetization shows a dip around 30 nm, half the size of spin cycloid length for BiFeO{sub 3}, due to a decrease in rhombohedral distortion with crystallite size. We also observe a similar trend in the T{sub N} with respect to size indicating that the microstrain plays a significant role in controlling the magnetic property of BiFeO{sub 3}.

• OSTI ID: 22350806
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 13 Vol. 105; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
BISMUTH COMPOUNDS
BOND ANGLE
FERRITES
MAGNETIC PROPERTIES
MAGNETIZATION
NANOPARTICLES
NEEL TEMPERATURE
PARTICLE SIZE
SPIN
SYMMETRY
TRIGONAL LATTICES