Enhanced ferroelectric and magnetic properties of perovskite structured Bi1−x−yGdxLayFe1−yTiyO3 magnetoelectric ceramics

Dielectric and magnetic properties of the Bi1−x−yGdxLayFe1−yTiyO3 (x=0.1 and y=0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5) solid solution ceramics have been presented this work. Effects of La substitution on the structural, electrical and ferroelectric properties of Bi1−x−yGdxLayFe1−yTiyO3 samples have been studied by performing X-ray diffraction and dielectric measurements as well as characterizing M–H hysteresis loop. The results indicate that, when La content exceeds 0.2, the crystal structure of the ceramic samples changes from rhombohedral to tetragonal phase. The maximum ferroelectric transition temperature (Tc) of this system was 190 °C with the dielectric constant peak of 2500 at 100 kHz for y=0.5. With increasing La content, the remanent magnetization increases and the coercive magnetic field decreases.

► Bi1−x−yGdxLayFe1−yTiyO3 ceramics were prepared by the solid-state reaction method.
► Samples exhibited rhombohedral to tetragonal phase transition at room temperature.
► The magnetization increases with the increase of y content.
► A minor loop indicates an antiferromagnetic nature with weak ferromagnetism.