Synthesis, Characterization, and Optimization of Magnetoelectric BaTiO₃–Iron Oxide Core–Shell Nanoparticles

Abstract

Improvement of magnetic, electronic, optical, and catalytic properties in cutting-edge technologies including drug delivery, energy storage, magnetic transistor, and spintronics requires novel nanomaterials. This article discusses the unique, clean, and homogeneous physiochemical synthesis of BaTiO3/iron oxide core−shell nanoparticles with interfaces between ferroelectric and ferromagnetic materials. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy displayed the distinguished disparity between the core and shell of the synthesized nanoparticles. Elemental mapping and line scan confirmed the formation of the core−shell structure. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy detected the surface iron oxide phase as maghemite. Rietveld analysis of the X-ray diffraction data labeled the crystallinity and phase purity. This study provides a promising platform for the desirable property development of the futuristic multifunctional nanodevices.

Keywords

• nanoparticles
• oxide-nanomaterials synthesis
• core–shell
• perovskite oxide
• superparamagnetism
• magnetic iron-oxides
• energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy