The compound BiFeO3 was synthesized in alkaline medium with BiONO3(or BiCl3
) and Fe(NO3)(3) . 9H(2)O as the reactant at 120-240 degrees C for 1-3 d. T
he product was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric
and differential thermal analyses and IR spectroscopy. The compound crysta
llizes in a rhombohedral system with cell parameters a = 0.395 6 nm, alpha
= 89.43 degrees.