Synthesis of multiferroic Bi0.9La0.1Fe0.95Mn0.05O3-Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3-Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 nanotubes with one closed end using a template-assisted sol-gel process

One-dimensional multiferroic nanostructures have received a great deal of recent attention. This paper presents the synthesis of Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 (BSTO) and Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 (NZFO) co-reinforced Bi0.9La0.1Fe0.95Mn0.05O3 (BLFMO) nanotubes with one closed end. The aim was to obtain one-dimensional multiferroics with higher ferroelectric and magnetic properties. It was found that these nanotubes had high aspect ratios with polycrystalline structures. Also, compared to single-phase nanotubes, they were found to possess a rougher surface and more non-uniform wall thickness. After combining BSTO and NZFO phases together, the BLFMO-BSTO-NZFO nanotubes possessed a larger saturation magnetization at 300 K. Such multiferroic nanotubes with one closed end have seldom been reported. These tubular structures are appropriate to be used as the shells of other functional nanowires or nanoparticles, and have a potential application for multifunctional nano-devices.