Enhancment of ferromagnetism in Ba and Er co-doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles

• Bi1−y−xBayErxFeO3 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a sol–gel route.
• X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy measurements confirmed a phase transition from rhombohedral–orthorhombic.
• Considerable enhancement in magnetisation of BiFeO3 is obtained with Ba and Er co-doping.

Bi1−y−xBayErxFeO3 [BByExFO, (0.13≤y≤0.17, 0≤x≤0.2)] nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a sol–gel method. The structural, microstructural and magnetic properties have been investigated, using X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and magnetometry measurements at room temperature. The refinement of X-ray diffraction pattern of BB0.15E0FO indicates a phase transition from rhombohedral (R3c) to tetragonal (P4mm) with increasing Ba content and a transition from the coexistence of rhombohedral–tetragonal phase to orthorhombic (Pbnm) in BB0.15ExFO samples with increasing Er concentration. The Raman analysis confirms crystal phase transition in BB0.15ExFO compounds. The FE-SEM and TEM analysis show that the average nanoparticle size is about 50–100 nm and it decreases with Er concentration. The remnant magnetisation of BB0.15E0.1FO sample (Mr=0.98 emu/g) is approximately two times greater than compared to BB0.15E0FO (Mr=0.51 emu/g) that may be attributed to the collapse of spin structure and modifying exchange interactions because of Er+3 doping. This enhancement in magnetic properties at room temperature can play an important role for the practical applications.