Structural transition and enhanced magnetization in Bi1−xYxFeO3

► Y substitutes Bi site in BiFeO3 (Bi1−xYxFeO3, x=0-0.20). ► Ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition occurs at x=0.07-0.10. ► The highest remnant magnetization is at the phase boundary. ► A magnetic switching behavior was observed in Bi0.8Y0.2FeO3.