Bismuth centred magnetic perovskite: A projected multiferroic

In recent time substantial attention has been initiated to understand the physics behind multiferroism and to design new multiferroic materials. BiMnO3 and BiFeO3 are the well-studied Bi-centred multiferroic oxides. BiMnO3 is a ferromagnetic-ferroelectric (metastable) phase and require drastic conditions to synthesize. However, lanthanum substituted BiMnO3 phases stabilized at ambient pressure. It is thus of major importance to increase the number of ferromagnetic perovskites with Bi cations that could be designed under ambient conditions. In this article, we have presented an up to date report of investigations on Bi-centred magnetic perovskites, a prospective material for multiferroic application. Central focus is concentrated on La0.5Bi0.5MnO3 perovskite with various substitutions at different levels. A few of these perovskites are found to be of practical importance e.g. La0.5Bi0.5Mn0.67Co0.33O3 with high dielectric permittivity coupled with ferromagnetism. A comprehensive analysis of different physical functionalities and their interrelation for a wide range of compositions of these Bi-centred perovskites is presented. It has been found that the complex magnetic behaviour originates from mixed valence metal ions. The ferroelectricity is associated with the 6s2 lone pair of Bi3+ cations. The magnetic ground state influences the dielectric properties reflecting the multiferroism in a single material.