Submicron BiFeO3 powders were successfully synthesized via a simple hydrothermal process with the assistance of mineralizer (NaOH) at 150–190°C, using FeCl3 and Bi(NO3)3⋅5H2O as reactants. The effects of mineralizer concentration, reaction temperature and time on the phase evolution and crystal morphology of the resulting samples were investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) were used to characterize the as-synthesized samples. The experimental results revealed that a pure BiFeO3 phase could be formed at a temperature ranging from 170 to 190°C for 4–20 h in the presence of 0.03–0.12 M NaOH. It was found that the mineralizer concentration, reaction temperature and time played a key role in controlling the growing speed of nuclei and formation of BiFeO3 crystallites. The possible formation mechanisms of submicron BiFeO3 powders with different morphologies were presented. The magnetization of BiFeO3 powders showed a weak ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature.
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