Magnetic glass-ceramics containing multiferroic BiFeO3 crystals

A new composite material consisting of BiFeO3 crystallites inside a nonmagnetic glass-like matrix has been synthesized using the glass crystallization method. The phase equilibrium and glass formation region of the Bi2O3-Fe2O3-B2O3 system (0-50 mol % B2O3) have been investigated. The optimal compositions for glass-ceramic synthesis are within the 25-85 mol % BiFeO3 range on the Bi4B2O9-BiFeO3 section. The obtained ceramics were studied by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, microscopic and magnetic methods. It was shown that the BiFeO3 crystallites grow according to a dendrite mechanism resulting in anisotropic glass-ceramic. Magnetic properties of the synthesized samples depend upon their morphology and crystallinity. (C) 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.