Multiferroic properties and temperature-dependent leakage mechanism of Sc-substituted bismuth ferrite–lead titanate thin films

Bi(Fe0.5Sc0.5)O3–PbTiO3 (BSFPT) films have been fabricated on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The microstructure, chemical state, ferroelectric and magnetic properties were investigated. The leakage mechanism of the BSFPT thin film showed bulk limited, space charge limited current characteristics from 200 to 220 K, whereas bulk limited Poole–Frenkel emission and interface limited Fowler–Nordheim tunneling coexisted at temperatures between 250 and 300 K. The substitution of Sc3+ for Fe3+ ions was considered to improve the valence stability and, therefore, decrease the overall leakage current.