Multiferroic bismuth ferrite thin film and bismuth ferrite-cobalt ferrite nanocomposites

Bismuth ferrite thin films and bismuth ferrite-cobalt ferrite nanocomposite ceramics were fabricated by a modified sol-gel processing techniques using hydrated bismuth nitrateiron nitrate and manganese nitrate [Mn(NO3)center dot 4H(2)O] as precursors. As fabricated samples were found to be amorphous that crystalised to desired phases after annealing at 500 degrees C. Thin film samples have high transparencies (similar to 95.5%). The refractive index of the thin film was found to increases with annealing temperature while the optical band gap shows an opposite trend. The magnetic properties of the ceramic samples were also found to be improved in the nanocomposite samples.