Investigation of the temperature-dependent functioning of BiFeO3 as a ferroelectric material through X-ray diffraction analysis

In recent years, Bismuth Ferrite (BiFeO₃, BFO) has emerged as a promising multiferroic material due to its high antiferromagnetic Néel temperature (T_N ~ 623–643 K) and ferroelectric Curie temperature (T_C ~ 1083–1103 K). These properties make BFO a strong candidate for exhibiting a magnetoelectric effect even at room temperature. Understanding the temperature-dependent ferroelectric behavior of BFO is crucial for optimizing its performance in applications where stable ferroelectric behavior at operational temperatures is essential for enhancing device efficiency, stability, and functionality. This study investigates the impact of temperature on the crystallographic characteristics (unit cell type, bond lengths, and dimensions) and ferroelectric performance of BFO. X-ray diffraction and electrical hysteresis measurements confirm the presence of a ferroelectric phase with a rhombohedral R3c structure, along with two phase transitions: the first around 600 K from ferroelectric to paraelectric, and the second near 1050 K from paraelectric back to ferroelectric.