Synthesis and properties of single crystal TbMn2O5 nanostructures

Single crystal nanowire clusters of multiferroic material TbMn2O5 were obtained through a two-step synthesis. These TbMn2O5 nanowires have high crystallinity and a high aspect ratio. They can be as long as tens of micrometers with a minimum diameter of about 20 nm. Analysis based on HRTEM demonstrates their growth direction is along (001). Their growth mechanism was discussed. In the case of magnetism, TbMn2O5 nanowires turn out to be paramagnetic at high temperature and weakly ferromagnetic at low temperature. ZFC and FC curves separated below about 45 K and a transition peak at 4 K of ZFC is observed. A magnetic hysteresis loop of TbMn2O5 measured at 5 K shows a coercivity of 35 Oe. Measurements of the dielectric constant epsilon and dielectric loss tan delta reflect a sustainable upward rising (especially above 200 K) and this tendency increased with the drop of frequencies. Under lower frequencies the peak positions of the dielectric loss shifted towards higher temperature.