Controlled preparation and structure characterization of BiFeO3 with macroscopic shapes

BiFeO3 was successfully immobilized on silica fiber via two synthetic techniques (a combined impregnation method with carbon nanofibers templates route; a combined solvothermal method with carbon nanofibers templates route). The phase structure, morphology and optical absorption property of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results confirmed that carbon nanofibers can act as effective templates for BiFeO3 immobilization on silica fiber with the applied two methods. Compared with solvent thermal method, impregnation method tends to form a relatively uniform particle size distribution and highly-crystallized phase when the calcination temperature was kept at 773 K for 5 h. It turned out the phase composition of the samples is strongly affected by the calcination temperatures for both cases. Such materials with direct macroscopic shapes would hold promise as highly functionalized materials for potential practical applications, especially in photocatalysis.