Solid State Amorphization of ZnFe₂O₄-BiFeO₃ System by Ball Milling

Abstract

Crystalline BiFeO₃ (perovskite) is easily amorphized at room temperature by ball milling. The amorphization of crystalline ZnFe₂O₄ (spinel) by ball milling is very difficult. Nearly half of Fe atom sites change from octahedral [FeO₆] to tetrahedral [FeO₄] in amorphous BiFeO₃. Ball milled amorphous BiFeO₃ is more relaxed than melt-quenched amorphous BiFeO₃. Antiferromagnetism in the crystalline state is partially converted into a ferromagnetic-like state in ball milled amorphous BiFeO₃-ZnFe₂O₄ under magnetic field.