Ferromagnetic and photocatalytic behaviors observed in Ca-doped BiFeO3 nanofibres

Ca-doped BiFeO3 nanofibres have been fabricated by electrospinning method. Our results indicate that phase transition from space group R3c to C222 can be observed by the Ca doping. These BiFeO3 nanofibres show obvious room temperature ferromagnetic behaviors, and saturation magnetization can be enhanced with the Ca-doping concentration increasing, which could be correlated with the variation of the ratio of Fe2+/Fe3+ valence state. The BiFeO3 nanofibres show obvious photocatalytic performance and can be improved by the Ca-doping. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4801796]