Bismuth ferrite (BFO) is a robust multiferroic perovskite material that can be used for antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric applications simultaneously.<b> </b>The particle formation process of bismuth ferrite is yet to be explained for advanced tunable morphologies. In this study, cubic and magnoliophyta particles were synthesized using nitrate and chloride hydrothermal synthesis methods. The powders produced in these syntheses used KOH mineralizer for the manufacture of the pure BFO powders of tunable morphologies. The advanced morphologies of bismuth ferrite are formed using the same mechanism despite the difference in iron precursor type. One synthesis is done with an iron chloride hexahydrate precursor and the other is completed with an iron nitrate nonahydrate precursor both characterized using XRD and SEM. The observed formation mechanism is through the preferential growth of small sub-particles that nucleate and agglomerate around a center hollow point. The mode of preferential growth allows for the sub-particles to arrange in a pattern – which is the same pattern for both synthesis methods. Despite the differing morphologies, the particle formation method is the same, and can be taken into consideration for future studies of advanced morphology control of multiferroic materials, like bismuth ferrite.

Particle formation mechanism of bismuth ferrite particles: Materials by design for antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric applications

ACS Spring 2022

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