Spectroscopy Characterization of YFeO3 Obtained by the Mechanochemically Synthesis

Abstract

In the past few years, a renewed interest has grown in the study of rare-earth orthorhombic perovskites. An important example of this trend is the family of rare-earth orthoferrites, which a general formula RFeO3 , where R is the trivalent rare-earth metal ion. YFeO3 has been prepared by a mechanochemical synthesis in a planetary ball mill. The mechanochemical reaction leading to formation of the YFeO3 phase was followed by X-ray diffraction, Raman and infrarad spectroscopy. The ortoferrite phase formation was first observed after 1 h of milling and its formation was completed after 2.5 h. The synthesized YFeO3 ferrite has a nanocrystalline structure with a crystallite size of about 12.4 nm. There are five Raman active modes. 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy was performed in order to provide information on Fe compounds in the Y2 O3 and α-Fe2 O3 mixture.