Synthesis and properties of multiferroic BiFeO₃ ceramics

BiFeO₃ was synthesized using a modified sol-gel process, i.e., so-called Pechini method, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction pattern. Optimal conditions for the synthesis of single-phase BiFeO3 ceramics were obtained. This Pechini technique developed in this work is expected to be useful in synthesis of doped BiFeO₃ or BiFeO₃-based solid solution. Conventional sintering and spark plasma sintering processes were used to fabricate BiFeO₃ ceramics. Ferroelectric and magnetic loops were measured at room temperature. The ceramic sample shows a stable dielectric constant and low loss tangent between 100 Hz and 10 MHz.