Multiferroic Heterostructure BaTiO3/ε-Fe2O3 Composite Obtained by in situ Reaction

Solid-state reaction between BaTiO3and Fe2O3was used to produce a multiferroic heterostructure composite. Commercial BaTiO3and Fe(NO3)3•9H2O were suspended in ethanol for 30 minutes in an ultrasound bath. The prepared mixture was thermally processed at 300°C for 6 h. Sintering at 1300 °C for 1 h resulted in a mixture of different phases, BaTiO3, BaFe12O19and Ba12Ti28Fe15O84, which were confirmed by x-ray powder diffraction. A dense microstructure with a small volume fraction of closed porosity was indicated by the scanning electron microscopy, while a homogeneous distribution of Fe ions over BaTiO3phase was visible from energy dispersive spectroscopy mapping. Doping of BaTiO3with Fe2O3resulted in formation of magnetic hexaferrite phases, as confirmed by dielectric measurements that showed a broadened maximum of the permittivity measured as a function of temperature. © 2021 Authors. Published by association for ETRAN Society.