Enhanced magnetization and electric polarization in Bi2Fe4O9 ceramics by magnetic field pre-sintering

A series of polycrystalline Bi2Fe4O9 ceramics are synthesized by a modified Pechini method, which are sintered at different temperatures from 700 to 900 degrees C after nonmagnetic field and magnetic field pre-sintering processes. X-ray diffraction patterns reveal that all samples are single phase. Compared with the nonmagnetic field pre-sintered samples, enhanced magnetization and electric polarization are found in the magnetic field pre-sintered ones. With sintering temperature increasing, induced weak ferro-magnetic property is depressed after magnetic field pre-sintering. The results indicate that it is possible to tune the magnetic and electric properties of Bi2Fe4O9 by magnetic field pre-sintering. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.