Improved Ferroelectric and Magnetic Properties of Bismuth Ferrite-Based Ceramics by Introduction of Non-Isovalent Ions and Grain Engineering
Single-phase multiferroics exhibiting ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism are considered pivotal for advancing next-generation multistate memories, spintronic devices, sensors, and logic devices. In this study, the magnetic and electric characteristics of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO<sub>3</sub&g...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/3/215 |
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| Summary: | Single-phase multiferroics exhibiting ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism are considered pivotal for advancing next-generation multistate memories, spintronic devices, sensors, and logic devices. In this study, the magnetic and electric characteristics of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO<sub>3</sub>) ceramics were enhanced through compositional design and grain engineering. BiFeO<sub>3</sub> ceramic was co-substituted by neodymium (Nd) and niobium (Nb), two non-isovalent elements, via the spark plasma sintering process using phase-pure powder prepared via sol-gel as the precursor. The symmetry of the sintered Nd–Nb co-doped samples changed from <i>R</i>3<i>c</i> to <i>Pnma</i>, accompanied by a decrease in the loss tangent, grain size, and leakage current density. The reduction in the leakage current density of the co-doped samples was ~three orders of magnitude. Moreover, ferroelectric, dielectric, and magnetic properties were substantially improved. The remanent polarization and magnetization values of the optimized Nd–Nb co-doped BiFeO<sub>3</sub> sample were 3.12 μC cm<sup>−2</sup> and 0.15 emu g<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. The multiferroic properties were enhanced based on multiple factors such as structural distortion caused by co-doping, grain size reduction, suppression of defect charges via donor doping, space-modulated spin structure disruption, and an increase in magnetic ions. The synergistic approach of composition design and grain engineering sets a paradigm for the advancement of multiferroic materials. |
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| ISSN: | 2079-4991 |