The, pure and rare earth modified (Bi0.95R0.05FeO3 / R = Gd or Eu) BiFeO3 compounds were synthesized by high-energy ball milling. The samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction results indicated single phase Eu modified samples, while the pure and Gd modified ones presented the BiFeO3 as majority phase, and small amount of the spurious phase. The energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed the presence of the modifiers atoms in the sample and the mapping of these atoms indicated the homogeneous distribution of them in the whole samples. The scanning electron microscopy showed a decrease significant on the particle size, with medium diameter around 500 nm. Densification studies indicated high-dense ceramics body, with relative density above of 0.9, were Eu modified compound reached relative density ρ/ρ0 = 0.98.
high-energy ball milling; multiferroic magnetoelectric ceramic
