Synthesis and characterization of Bi1-xNdxFeO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) prepared by thermal decomposition of Bi1-xNdx[Fe(CN)6]·4H2O

Abstract

The series of polycrystalline heteronuclear complexes, Bi1-xNdx[Fe(CN)6]·4H2O (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3), was successfully synthesized and characterized, by means of powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and infrared spectroscopy. The thermal behaviour was studied by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis. The crystal structure of the complexes was refined by Rietveld analysis. It was found that they crystallized in the orthorhombic crystal system, space group Cmcm. The lattice parameters and unit cell volume decrease with an increase in Nd concentration. In order to obtain the oxides Bi1-xNdxFeO3, the thermal decomposition of the inorganic complexes, Bi1-xNdx[Fe(CN)6]·4H2O, has been investigated. By Rietveld analysis of PXRD data, the synthesis of the oxides was confirmed, evidencing in the series, a gradual change in crystal structure from rhombohedra to triclinic. Furthermore, with an increase in Nd content in Bi1-xNdxFeO3 oxides, impurity phases, such as Bi2O3, Bi2Fe4O9 and Bi25FeO39 associated with the synthesis of BiFeO3, are reduced. The morphology and chemical composition were investigated by microscopy electronic scattering and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrical and magnetic properties have been determined to characterize the obtained oxides.