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The thermodynamic stability of BiFeO3 is investigated by high temperature X-ray diffraction and isothermal heat treatment of Bi2O3−Fe2O3 powder mixture as well as phase pure BiFeO3 prepared by a wet chemical route. Experimental evidence for decomposition of BiFeO3 to Bi25FeO39 and Bi2Fe4O9 in the temperature interval 720−1040 K is reported. The experimental observations are discussed in terms of available thermodynamic data for the system. Finally, the stability of BiFeO3 and related Bi-based perovskites is discussed in relation to Goldschmidt tolerance factor and the influence of pressure and chemical substitution.
Selbach et al. (Tue,) studied this question.