Investigations on the Multifunctionality of Bismuth Iron Oxide

Amongst various types of multiferroic compounds, bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3; BFO) stands out as it exhibits both magnetic and ferroelectric polarization orderings at room temperature. Till date, studies on BFO-based materials have mainly been focused on dielectric, ferroelectric, magnetic and on magnetoelectric coupling. The aim of the present work is to explore additional functionality of BFO ceramics. We have synthesized BFO ceramics using auto-combustion route and demonstrated its functionality as the anode of lithium ion recharging material, toxic gas-sensing material and photo-catalyst. As Li ion cell anode, we have shown that BFO, in half-cell configuration, yields a reversible capacity similar to 120 mAh/g with excellent cycleability. BFO has been demonstrated to be excellent sensing material for volatile organic compounds. Under solar illumination, BFO yields 99.5% degradation of coloured aromatic dye within 50 min. Our investigations pave the way to explore these new functionalities of BFO ceramics.