Simple top-down preparation of magnetic Bi$_{0.9}$Gd$_{0.1}$Fe$_{1-x}$Ti$_x$O$_3$ nanoparticles by ultrasonication of multiferroic bulk material

TL;DR

This paper introduces a straightforward ultrasonic method to produce ultrafine, single-crystalline Bi$_{0.9}$Gd$_{0.1}$Fe$_{1-x}$Ti$_x$O$_3$ nanoparticles from bulk multiferroic material, enhancing magnetic properties for potential applications.

Contribution

The study demonstrates a novel, simple top-down ultrasonic technique to synthesize ultrafine multiferroic nanoparticles directly from bulk material, with improved magnetic behavior.

Findings

Nanoparticles with mean size of 11-13 nm were produced.

Significant enhancement in magnetic properties at room temperature.

The method is simple, effective, and suitable for functional applications.

Abstract

We present a simple technique to synthesize ultrafine nanoparticles directly from bulk multiferroic perovskite powder. The starting materials, which were ceramic pellets of the nominal compositions of Bi$_{0.9}$Gd$_{0.1}$Fe$_{1-x}$Ti$_x$O$_3$ (x = 0.00-0.20), were prepared initially by a solid state reaction technique, then ground into micrometer-sized powders and mixed with isopropanol or water in an ultrasonic bath. The particle size was studied as a function of sonication time with transmission electron microscopic imaging and electron diffraction that confirmed the formation of a large fraction of single-crystalline nanoparticles with a mean size of 11-13 nm. A significant improvement in the magnetic behavior of Bi$_{0.9}$Gd$_{0.1}$Fe$_{1-x}$Ti$_x$O$_3$ nanoparticles compared to their bulk counterparts was observed at room temperature. This sonication technique may be considered as a simple and promising route to prepare ultrafine nanoparticles for functional applications.