Magnetic, ferroelectric and magnetoelectric properties of Ba-doped BiFeO3

Bi1–xBaxFeO3 (0.0≤x≤0.25) ceramics are prepared by chemical synthesis route. At room temperature, antiferromagnetic BiFeO3 is converted to ferromagnetic on doping Ba. A large change in the magnetization is observed around 370 °C which is close to the Neel temperature (TN) of parent compound. Another magnetic transition is also observed near 600 °C. Spin canting or impurity phase could be a probable reason for the origin of ferromagnetism in both cases. Ferroelectric and magnetic transitions of the compounds shift towards higher temperature with Ba-doping concentration. Anomaly in the dielectric constant is also observed near the TN of BiFeO3. The composition x=0.15 shows the maximum magnetic moment at room temperature while better fatigue resistance and maximum magnetoelectric coupling are observed for x=0.20 composition.

► Here we have synthesized Ba doped bismuth ferrite (BFO) sample of different compositions with chemical route.
► Structural analysis shows an increase in lattice parameter due to doping of barium replacing Bi in the parent compound.
► Large change in multiferroic property is observed.
► Two magnetic transitions one at near Neel temperature of BFO and another at higher temperature (∼600 °C) are observed.
► Dielectric anomaly also takes place near this temperature. Sample with Ba concentration 0.20 shows good fatigue resistance.