Local electronic structure analysis of Zn-doped BiFeO3 powders by X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy

Multiferroic BiFe1-xZnxO3 (0 <= x <= 0.1) powders were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Structural studies using X-ray diffraction revealed that all samples possessed a rhombohedral R3c perovskite structure. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the average grain size decreased slightly with increasing Zn concentration. Fe K-edge and Bi L-3-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectra indicated that both the Fe and Bi ions had a +3 valence state in all samples. The local electronic structure of the center atoms was affected by Zn doping. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed the characteristic vibrations of the obtained BiFe1-xZnxO3 (0 <= x <= 0.1) samples. Magnetic hysteresis loop measurements indicated a maximum remnant magnetization (Mr) for the x = 0.025 sample, which was primarily a result of the Fe3+-O-Zn2+ anti-ferromagnetic exchange interaction. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.