Study of Nanocrystalline BiMnO sub(3)--PbTiO sub(3): Synthesis, Structural Elucidation, and Magnetic Characterization of the Whole Solid Solution

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal 2012-07, Vol.18 (29), p.9075-9082
• Main Authors: Hungria, Teresa, Correas, Covadonga, Houdellier, Florent, Pena, Octavio, Vila, Eladio, Castro, Alicia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electron diffraction; Magnetic properties; Nanocrystals; Oxides; Perovskites; Precession; Solid solutions; Synthesis
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201200148

In the last ten years, the study and the search for new multiferroic materials have been a major challenge due to their potential applications in electronic technology. In this way, bismuth-containing perovskites (BiMO sub(3)), and particularly those in which the metalM position is occupied by a magnetically active cation, have been extensively investigated as possible multiferroic materials. From the point of view of synthesis, only a few of the possible bismuth-containing perovskites can be prepared by conventional methods but at high pressures. Herein, the preparation of one of these potential multiferroic systems, the solid solution xBiMnO sub(3)-(1-x)PbTiO sub(3) by mechanosynthesis is reported. Note that this synthetic method allows the oxides with high x values, and more particularly the BiMnO sub(3) phase, to be obtained as nanocrystalline phases, in a single step and at room temperature without the application of external pressure. These results confirm that, in the case of Bi perovskites, mechanosynthesis is a good alternative to high-pressure synthesis. These materials have been studied from the point of view of their structural characteristics by precession electron diffraction and magnetic property measurements. The whole truth: The preparation of the BiMnO sub(3)-PbTiO sub(3) solid solution by mechanosynthesis has allowed the drawbacks of the synthesis to be solved, and light is shed on the remaining structural questions by precession electron diffraction. Magnetic characterization of the samples shows different behaviors depending on the composition (see figure), and these measurements are also useful in ascertaining the stability of this system.