IMF2017

Bismuth ferrite, BiFeO₃ (BFO), is a multiferroic magnetoelectric compound with rhomboedrally distorted perovskite structure (ABO₃) and R3c space group exhibiting ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic ordering at room temperature with high Currie (~ 1103 K) and Neel (~ 643 K) temperatures. The BFO magnetic ordering is characterized by a canted spin structure that gives rise to a spiral modulation with a periodicity of 62 nm, leading to null macroscopic magnetization. In this sense, size dependent properties of BFO has attracted attention and many protocols for the synthesis of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics have been trying. Nonetheless, conventional synthesis as wet chemical rotes of nano-sized particles are not cost-effective for mass production. In this context, cryomill was proposed as a new technique consisting in a low temperature ball-milling process using liquid nitrogen for the fabrication of nanoparticles in large quantities. In this present work, a home-built setup for cryomill in a planetary ball mill was applied to obtain single-phased BFO nanoparticles and the powder properties were explored. In addition, bulk ceramics were made under low temperature by different conditions and then structural, micro structural, dielectric and magnetic properties were investigated and its improvements were correlated to synthesis parameters.