Novel double structural transition at room temperature in Bi1-xGdxFeO3 system prepared by sol-gel method

Abstract

Bi1-xGdxFeO3 \(\text{p}\text{o}\text{w}\text{d}\text{e}\text{r}\text{s} \text{w}\text{i}\text{t}\text{h} 0.00\le x\le 0.20\) were successfully synthesized by sol-gel process. X-ray analyses revealed the existence of a double structural transition from rhombohedral to cubic symmetry for \(x=0.10\) (first transition) and from cubic to orthorhombic symmetry for \(x\ge 0.15\) (second transition). Infrared spectroscopy allows the identification of different bending and stretching vibrations between the different ions. Magnetization hysteresis loops, recorded at room temperature, indicate a typical ferromagnetic-like behaviour. Additionally, differential scanning calorimetry measurements were also performed and discussed.