Structural, Thermal, and Magnetic Properties of Cu-doped BiFeO3

A polycrystalline Bi(Fe0.95Cu0.05)O3 sample has been prepared by sol–gel method. The analysis of X-ray diffraction patterns demonstrates that the sample exhibits a rhombohedral structure. Compared with BiFeO3, the magnetic behavior of Bi(Fe0.95Cu0.05)O3 sample almost does not change. Raman data analysis indicates that the lattice distortion exists in a Bi(Fe0.95Cu0.05)O3 sample. The results of differential scanning calorimetry demonstrate that Cu2+ ion doping affects the magnetic order and decreases the Neel temperature of BiFeO3. The lattice distortion and the counteractive role between the intervening on the spin chains of Fe ions make the magnetic properties of Cu-doped BiFeO3 not increase.