Effect of conventional and microwave sintering on ceramic BiFeO < inf > 3 < /inf >

Abstract

In this paper we are comparing the results of the conventional and microwave sintered samples of bismuth ferrite. Bismuth ferrite samples are synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. X-ray powder diffraction reveals a distorted rhombohedral phase with space group R3c for both samples. Enhanced structural and dielectric properties were observed at room temperature for the sample sintered with microwave energy. Microwave sintering offers a different recrystallization kinetics, thereby reducing the leakage current arising from impurity phases. © 2013 American Institute of Physics.