Abstract
In this work, Bi1-xCexFeO3 (x = 0.0, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.1) mesoporous nanoflakes with average thickness 36-122 nm have been synthesized using the sol-gel method. The effect of Ce doping on the structural, morphological, magnetic, and electrical properties was investigated. The samples were characterized by the X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic measurements show that the Bi1-xCexFeO3 nanoflakes have weak ferromagnetic ordering which can be attributed to the oxygen vacancies and Ce4+ substitution in the Bi sites. The DC electric transport properties were studied in the temperature range (300-700) K by the two-probe method. The materials show typical semiconductor features and the conduction mechanisms are governed by the hopping process. The Ce doping results in a significant enhancement in the electrical conductivity and the magnetic features of the BFO nanoflakes.