Investigation on structural and functional properties of Nd doped BiFeO3 particles prepared by hydrothermal method

This study reports the effect of Nd-doping on structural, morphological and optical properties of BiFeO3 synthesized by hydrothermal method. The X-ray diffraction's results indicate that the samples possess single phase up to 12.5 % Nd doping at the Bi site, and all the samples were pure phase microcrystal having a perovskite structure with a space group of R3c. Through the scanning electron microscope, we find that the particles are nearly spherical morphology and the size decreases with Nd doping. The study of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the formation of perovskite structure of prepared BiFeO3. Photoluminescence spectroscopy shows Nd doping enhanced the Photoluminescence intensity. Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum shows BiFeO3 have a wide absorption band in 550-650 nm wavelength range. The corresponding energy band gap of the samples decreases with the increase of Nd-doping concentration. BiFeO3 valence band electrons will be excited to the conduction band when the wavelength of visible light is 600-800 nm. It can be used in visible light catalysis. The value of remnant magnetization has improved due to the continuing collapse of the space-modulated spin structure of Bi0.925Nd0.075FeO3 microcrystals.