LAUSR

AbstractMicrowave-assisted solution combustion method was used for preparation of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) powders at different fuel contents (φ = 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 2). Phase, structure, microstructure, magnetic, and optical properties of BiFeO3 powders were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy techniques as a function of ignition method and fuel content. Practically pure BiFeO3 powders were formed at low fuel contents using microwave heating, while the impurity phases of conventionally combusted BiFeO3 powders were only disappeared following calcination at 600 °C. The strong absorption in the visible region of synthesized BiFeO3 powders was due to their narrow optical band gap energy (1.86–2.07 eV), as measured by diffuse reflectance spectrometer. The conventionally combusted BiFeO3 powders with high-specific surface area (37 m2/g) showed the highest visible photocatalytic activity (~60%). Correlation of microstructure and adsorption–desorption isotherms with synthesis conditionsHighlightsMicrowave-assisted solution combustion was compared with conventional heating.Practically pure BiFeO3 powders were achieved at low fuel contents using microwave heating.The conventionally combusted BiFeO3 powders were only purified following calcination at 600 °C.The highest specific surface area were obtained for the as-combusted BiFeO3 powders using conventional heating.