Effect of Microstrain on the Magnetic Properties of BiFeO3 Nanoparticles

Authors

Pavana S. V. Mocherla, Indian Institute of Technology Madras
C. Karthik, Boise State UniversityFollow
R. Ubic, Boise State UniversityFollow
M. S. Ramachandra Rao, Indian Institute of Technology Madras
C. Sudakar, Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-29-2014

Abstract

We report on size induced microstrain-dependent magnetic properties of BiFeO₃ 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 FeO₆ octahedral rotation for d < 65 nm. Themagnetization shows a dip around 30 nm, half the size of spin cycloid length for BiFeO₃, due to a decrease in rhombohedral distortion with crystallite size. We also observe a similar trend in the T_N with respect to size indicating that the microstrain plays a significant role in controlling the magnetic property of BiFeO₃.

Publication Information

Mocherla, Pavana S. V.; Karthik, C.; Ubic, R.; Rao, M. S. Ramachandra; and Sudakar, C.. (2014). "Effect of Microstrain on the Magnetic Properties of BiFeO3 Nanoparticles". Applied Physics Letters, 105(13), 132409-1 - 132409-5. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4897143