Reinspection of formation of BiFe1-xMnxO3 solid solutions via low temperature sol-gel synthesis route

In this study, BiFe1-xMnxO3 (BiFeMnO; x from 0 to 0.5) solid solutions were prepared by low temperature sol-gel processing. It was demonstrated that structural, magnetic and morphological properties of BiFeMnO samples are dependent on the chemical composition of the synthesized BiFe1-xMnxO3 solid solutions. The thermal behaviour of the Bi–Fe–Mn–O precursor gels was investigated by thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) measurements. From X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis it was observed that monophasic BiFe1-xMnxO3 samples have formed up to 25 mol% of substitution. The Rietveld analysis showed that the structure of BiFeMnO specimens can be indexed by rhombohedral or orthorhombic unit cell depending on Mn3+ content. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate samples morphology and revealed, that smaller particles form when Mn3+ is present inside the structure. Moreover, magnetic properties of solid solutions were also investigated, and antiferromagnetism and weak ferromagnetism were observed for the samples. [Display omitted] •BiFe1-xMnxO3 solid solutions were prepared by low temperature sol-gel processing.•The monophasic BiFe1-xMnxO3 samples have formed up to 25 mol% of substitution of manganese.•The rhombohedral or orthorhombic structure of specimens depends on Mn content.•Smaller particles formed when Mn3+ was present in the structure.•Weak ferromagnetism was observed for the samples containing Mn3+.