Synthesis and ferroelectric properties of multiferroic BiFeO3 nanotube arrays

Abstract

We report the synthesis and characterization of ordered multiferroic BiFeO3 (BFO) nanotube arrays. BFO nanotubes with diameters of about 250nm and lengths of about 6μm were fabricated by means of a sol-gel method utilizing nanochannel alumina templates. After postannealing at 700°C, the BFO nanotubes exhibited a polycrystalline microstructure, and x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy study revealed that they are of a perovskite crystal structure. Significant ferroelectric and piezoelectric characteristics of BFO nanotubes have been demonstrated by means of piezoresponse force microscopy measurement.