Novel bismuth ferrite nanopowder prepared by polyethylene glycol-assisted two-step solid-state reaction: Synthesis and magneto-optical properties

In this study, a bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) nanopowder was synthesized by combining Bi(NO3)(3)center dot 5H(2)O, Fe(NO3)(3)center dot 9H(2)O, and NaOH raw materials in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with varying polymerization degrees (i.e. PEG200, PEG400, PEG600, and PEG10000). The synthesis process was carried out by roomtemperature solid-state reaction followed by subsequent secondary solid-state reaction at 550 degrees C. The results suggested a significant influence of PEG polymerization degree on the morphology and size of the as-synthesized products. The grain size decreased after the introduction of PEG but increased with the polymerization degree. The vibrating-sample magnetometry data revealed PEG400 and PEG600 with obvious room-temperature ferromagnetism properties. In UV-Vis spectroscopy, the absorption edge exhibited a blue shift as the polymerization degree of PEG rose. In sum, BiFeO3 nanopowder possessed room-temperature ferromagnetism, thereby suitable photocatalyst for wastewater treatment and environmental purification with convenient recycling and substantial economic value.

Automated summary

In this study, bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) nanopowder was synthesized using different polymerization degrees of polyethylene glycol (PEG). The results showed that the polymerization degree of PEG significantly influenced the morphology and size of the synthesized products, as well as the magnetic and spectral properties.