Synthesis of the Single-Phase Bismuth Ferrite (BiFeO3) Nanoparticle and Investigation of Their Structural, Magnetic, Optical and Photocatalytic Properties

In this study, single-phase bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) was synthesized using hydrothermal method. The effect of KOH concentration and temperature during the reaction on morphology, particle size, and phase formation was investigated. Then, the structural properties of the samples were assessed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis. XRD analysis results revealed that the samples were fabricated in distorted rhombohedral perovskite structure with R3C space group. Also, BiFeO3 (BFO) was formed in a single-phase at 220 °C and 4M concentration of KOH. The magnetic properties of the optimal sample were determined by VSM analysis and very weak magnetic properties were observed in pure nanoparticles. Also, the optical properties and photocatalytic properties of the optimal sample were investigated by UV-visible and Photoluminescence (PL) analysis. The optical gap of BFO was recorded by 2.8 and its photocatalytic properties were investigated at three different pHs (2, 6, and 10) at a concentration of 20 ppm Congo red. The results demonstrated that BFO nanoparticles nearly destroyed dye structure after 120 min at pH = 2.