Mechanochemically assisted synthesis of yttrium ferrite ceramic and its visible light photocatalytic and magnetic properties

As a member of RFeO3 system (R = rare earth ions), the magnetic and optical properties of hexagonal yttrium ferrite (YFeO3) have been rarely investigated. On the other hand, a mechanical route for synthesis of this orthoferrite ceramic has not been reported yet. The aim of the present work is to synthesize YFeO3 via high energy ball milling aided by the sintering process. Photocatalytic behavior along with magnetic and absorption properties of YFeO3 were also investigated. Besides, its potential of colossal dielectric constant was discussed in this research. X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), ultravioletevisible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and Image-J software were utilized for data analysis. According to the obtained results, YFeO3 can be regarded a visible light-driven photocatalyst, a semiconductor with a narrow bandgap, a weak ferromagnetic material, and a ceramic without a colossal dielectric constant. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.