Surface enhanced strong visible photoluminescence from one-dimensional multiferroic BiFeO3 nanostructures

The effect of gadolinium doping on the structural, magnetic and photoluminescence properties of electrospun bismuth ferrite nanofibers

“…The high NBE/ DLE value of these nanofibers can be ascribed to the passivation of oxygen vacancies due to Gd doping [22,23]. This is in accordance with the studies carried out by Prashanthi et al, where the NBE/DLE value of BFO nanofibers was enhanced by annealing the samples in hydrogen; which led to the passivation of oxygen vacancies [11]. The increase in the NBE intensity by Gd doping can be explained as follows.…”

“…It has a bandgap varying from 2.5 eV to 2.8 eV [5][6][7]. It has been investigated as a potential candidate for optoelectronic applications such as photovoltaics [8][9][10], photonic and optoelectronic devices [11,12]. Studies have shown that the photoluminescence properties of BFO can even be manipulated through the use of electric fields [13].…”

“…Studies have shown that the photoluminescence properties of BFO can even be manipulated through the use of electric fields [13]. Further, the optoelectronic properties of BFO have been found to be enhanced in one dimensional nanostructures such as nanofibers [11] and nanotubes [12] when compared to bulk samples, due to strong surface level interactions and large surface to volume ratio [14]. Electrospun nanofibers have added advantages over other one dimensional nanostructures such as high aspect ratios, large surface areas [15][16][17] and enhanced optical properties [11,18].…”

“…Further, the optoelectronic properties of BFO have been found to be enhanced in one dimensional nanostructures such as nanofibers [11] and nanotubes [12] when compared to bulk samples, due to strong surface level interactions and large surface to volume ratio [14]. Electrospun nanofibers have added advantages over other one dimensional nanostructures such as high aspect ratios, large surface areas [15][16][17] and enhanced optical properties [11,18]. Studies on the effect of various processing conditions on the Near Band Emission (NBE) and Defect Level Emission (DLE) of BFO thin films [10] and nanowires [11] showed that the strength of the DLE band varied highly on the atmosphere such as O 2 , N 2 , H 2 or Air used during annealing.…”

“…Electrospun nanofibers have added advantages over other one dimensional nanostructures such as high aspect ratios, large surface areas [15][16][17] and enhanced optical properties [11,18]. Studies on the effect of various processing conditions on the Near Band Emission (NBE) and Defect Level Emission (DLE) of BFO thin films [10] and nanowires [11] showed that the strength of the DLE band varied highly on the atmosphere such as O 2 , N 2 , H 2 or Air used during annealing. Both BFO nanofilms and wires showed strong DLE bands when annealed under O 2 , whereas nanowires annealed under H 2 atmospheres exhibited weaker DLE bands.…”