Effects of Nd and Co co-doping on phase, microstructure and ferromagnetic properties of bismuth ferrite ceramics

• Main Authors: Lawita P., Siriprapa P., Watcharapasorn A., Jiansirisomboon S.
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84875733609&partnerID=40&md5=b7270ac3c7c3e80ce557cf9578522470; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/6900
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

In this work, the samples of Bi0.95Nd0.05Co xFe1-xO3 (BNFCO) with x=0, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07 mol fraction, were prepared by a solid state reaction. The effect of Nd and Co co-doping concentration on phase, densification, microstructure and ferromagnetic properties were examined. The BNFCO powders were prepared using a mixed-oxide method and calcined at 800 °C for 2 h before being pressed and sintered at various temperatures in the range of 825-900 °C for 2 h. An increase in Co co-doping content increased density of the ceramics. Phase analysis by X-ray diffraction indicated the existence of rhombohedral phase for all BNFCO powders and ceramics. Microstructural investigation using the scanning electron microscope showed a reduction of grain size with increasing Co content. Magnetic hysteresis loops showed that remanent magnetization and coercive magnetic field of the Co-doped samples were improved. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.