Self-assembled epitaxial BiFeO3 nanostructures as a tailored platform for vertically aligned nanocomposites development

Abstract

We present the spontaneous growth of self-assembled epitaxial nanostructures of BiFeO₃ (BFO) obtained by Pulsed Laser Deposition. The BFO phase architectures of squares, stripes and pyramids were grown on (0 0 1), (1 1 0) and (1 1 1) SrTiO₃ (STO) substrates, respectively. The morphology of the BFO nanostructures was determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy revealing their vertical alignment and self-assembled feature on the surface of the entire substrate. Structural analysis was made along in-plane and out-of-plane directions employing X-ray Diffraction. We determined the growth routes of BFO nanostructures and established a relationship between their morphology and structural properties. Such self-ordered crystalline nanostructures could be used as a tailored platform for the deposition of the ferromagnetic phase, thus providing an alternative method for the fabrication of BFO-based multiferroic vertically aligned nanocomposites.