Effect of surface modification of BiFeO3 on the dielectric, ferroelectric, magneto-dielectric properties of polyvinylacetate/BiFeO3 nanocomposites

Abstract

Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO 3 ) is considered as one of the most promising materials in the field of multiferroics. In this work, a simple green route as well as synthetic routes has been used for the preparation of pure phase BiFeO 3 . An extract of Calotropis Gigantea flower was used as a reaction medium in green route. In each case so formed BiFeO 3 particles are of comparable quality. These particles are in the range of 50-60 nm and exhibit mixed morphology (viz., spherical and cubic) as confirmed by TEM analysis. These pure phase BiFeO 3 nanoparticles were first time surface modified effectively by mean of two silylating agent's viz., tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and (3-Aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES). Modified and unmodified BiFeO 3 nanoparticles were efficiently introduced into polyvinylacetate (PVAc) matrix. It has been shown that nanocomposite prepared by modified BiFeO 3 comprise superior dispersion characteristics, improved ferroelectric properties and favorable magneto-dielectric properties along with excellent wettability in compare to nanocomposite prepared by unmodified BiFeO 3 . These preliminary results demonstrate possible applications of this type of nanocomposites particularly in the field of multiferroic coating and adhesives.