Nano-scale structural analysis of (La,Fe)TiO3 prepared by Fe/Li ion-exchange

Nano-scale structural analysis of (La,Fe)TiO3 prepared by Fe/Li ion-exchange has been performed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and analytical electron microscopy. An ion-exchange reaction has been microscopically confirmed. On the other hand, the nano-crystalline bcc-Fe phase segregates as a secondary phase at grain boundaries. Interfaces between grain boundaries and matrix grains of (La,Fe)TiO3 maintain the coherency. The bcc-Fe phase at the grain boundaries may be the origin of the ferromagnetic behavior in (La,Fe)TiO3.