Centimeter-size BiFeO(3) single crystals grown by flux method

A narrow part of Fe(2)O(3)-Bi(2)O(3) phase diagram was re-investigated in order to elaborate single crystals of the multiferroic BiFeO3 (BFO). Centimeter-size single crystals were successfully obtained by flux method, and present a preferred growth direction. X-ray diffraction studied have highlighted that the growth direction is along the polar axis [111](r) of the structure. The stability of BFO versus temperature (reversible ferroelectric transition followed by multiple irreversible decompositions) is discussed in the light of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis performed between 25 and 140 degrees C.