Bandgap Tuning in Cobalt-Doped BiFeO<sub>3</sub>/Bi<sub>25</sub>FeO<sub>40</sub> Heterostructured Nanopowders via Sol–Gel Phase Engineering

Bandgap Tuning in Cobalt-Doped BiFeO<sub>3</sub>/Bi<sub>25</sub>FeO<sub>40</sub> Heterostructured Nanopowders via Sol–Gel Phase Engineering

Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO<sub>3</sub>, BFO) is a promising multiferroic material, but its optoelectronic potential is limited by a wide bandgap and charge recombination. Here, we report the sol–gel synthesis of Co-doped BiFeO<sub>3</sub>/Bi<sub>25</sub>FeO<sub>...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dhouha Baghdedi, Asma Dahri, Mohamed Tabellout, Najmeddine Abdelmoula, Zohra Benzarti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Nanomaterials
Subjects:
BiFeO<sub>3</sub>
Co doping
sol–gel synthesis
bandgap tuning
multiferroics
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/12/918
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Summary:Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO<sub>3</sub>, BFO) is a promising multiferroic material, but its optoelectronic potential is limited by a wide bandgap and charge recombination. Here, we report the sol–gel synthesis of Co-doped BiFeO<sub>3</sub>/Bi<sub>25</sub>FeO<sub>40</sub> heterostructured nanopowders (x = 0.07, 0.15) alongside pristine BFO to explore Co doping and phase engineering as strategies to enhance their functional properties. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and dielectric analysis, we reveal a biphasic structure (rhombohedral R3c and cubic I23 phases) with tuned phase ratios (~73:27 for x = 0.07; ~76:24 for x = 0.15). Co doping induces lattice strain and oxygen vacancies, reducing the bandgap from 1.78 eV in BFO to 1.31 eV in BFO<sub>0.15</sub> and boosting visible light absorption. Dielectric measurements show reduced permittivity and altered conduction, driven by [Co<sup>2+</sup>-V<sub>0</sub><sup>••</sup>] defect dipoles. These synergistic modifications, including phase segregation, defect chemistry, and nanoscale morphology, significantly enhance optoelectronic performance, making these heterostructures compelling for photocatalytic and photovoltaic applications.
ISSN:2079-4991

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