Fabrication, magnetic, and ferroelectric properties of multiferroic BiFeO3 hollow nanoparticles

Hollow BiFeO3nanoparticles were synthesized by an electrospray route for the first time. The phase purity and structure have been investigated by x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Transmission and scanning electron microscope investigations revealed that the as-obtained BiFeO3 hollow spheres were polycrystalline, with a shell thickness of 35 nm. The formation mechanism can be possibly explained by Ostwald ripening. Raman spectra have verified decreased vibrational frequencies in BiFeO3nanoparticles. These hollow and core-shell multiferroicnanoparticles exhibit significantly enhanced ferromagnetism from 5 to 600 K due to a broken spiral spin structure. The ferroelectricity of hollow BiFeO3 particles exhibits a lower switching electric field, which is confirmed by Kelvin probe force microscopy. Disciplines Engineering | Physical Sciences and Mathematics Publication Details Du, Y., Cheng, Z. Xiang., Dou, S. Xue., Attard, D. Jon. & Wang, X. (2011). Fabrication, magnetic, and ferroelectric properties of multiferroic BiFeO3 hollow nanoparticles. Journal of Applied Physics, 109 (7), 073903-1-073903-5. This journal article is available at Research Online: http://ro.uow.edu.au/aiimpapers/490 Fabrication, magnetic, and ferroelectric properties of multiferroic BiFeO3 hollow nanoparticles Yi Du, Zhen Xiang Cheng, Shi Xue Dou, Darren Jon Attard, and Xiao Lin Wang Citation: J. Appl. Phys. 109, 073903 (2011); doi: 10.1063/1.3561377 View online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3561377 View Table of