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Investigation of structural, optical, magnetic and photocatalytic properties of Eu–Mg co-doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles

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Abstract

Perovskite bismuth ferrites have been well investigated for their multifunctional applications for the last two decades. The selective ion doping on these materials improved some physical properties and made those suitable for some practical applications. This work investigates the structural, optical and magnetic properties of sol-gel synthesized Eu–Mg doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles. The synthesized samples were characterized by employing XRD, FTIR, FESEM, UV–visible, VSM and SQUID techniques. A structural phase transition from rhombohedral to orthorhombic was induced by Mg2+ substitution, observed through the Rietveld refinement technique. From microstructural studies, a significant impact of Mg2+ doping was noticed on the shape and size of the nanoparticles forming agglomeration. The prepared samples were found to be direct band gap semiconductors, and a decrease in the optical energy band gap, from 2.17 to 2.02 eV, was observed with Mg2+ doping. The magnetic studies revealed these materials as soft magnetic materials with low retentivity and small coercivity, whereas the strong interactions between magnetic domains enhanced the magnetization almost nine times compared to its parent compound. Furthermore, this study investigates the possible use of these nanomaterials as photocatalysts in degrading organic RhB dye.

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Highlights

  • Synthesis of Eu0.04Bi0.96−xMgxFeO3 (x = 0,0.05,0.1) nanoparticles adopting sol-gel method.

  • Characterization of nanoparticles by employing XRD, FTIR, FESEM, UV–visible, VSM and SQUID techniques.

  • Mg2+ doping reduces the optical energy band gap from 2.17 to 2.02 eV.

  • Observation of enhanced magnetization, reduced coercivity with increase in Mg2+ doping.

  • Investigation of photocatalytic degradation of RhB dye under sunlight illumination.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by SERB, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India (FILE NO. EMR/2016/007046)

Author contributions

JN and SP: Conceptualization of research problem and methodology • SP: Synthesis of materials, characterization using XRD, FESEM, UV–Vis, FTIR,VSM • SP and BS: Photocatalytic dye degradation experiment • SP: Data analysis and original draft preparation • JN and SP: Reviewing and editing the paper

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, ITER, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, 751030, Odisha, India

    Sridhar Parida & Jyotirmayee Nanda

  2. Department of Chemistry, ITER, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, 751030, Odisha, India

    Biswaprakash Sarangi

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  1. Sridhar Parida
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Correspondence to Jyotirmayee Nanda.

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Parida, S., Nanda, J. & Sarangi, B. Investigation of structural, optical, magnetic and photocatalytic properties of Eu–Mg co-doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 109, 150–161 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06257-w

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