Multiferroic properties of single-crystalline Bi0.8La0.2FeO3 microsized particles synthesized by molten salt method

Single-crystalline Bi0.8La0.2FeO3 particles were successfully synthesized by a large scale, facile and environmentally friendly molten salt method. The structure, morphology, magnetic and ferroelectric properties were investigated. The X-ray diffraction results demonstrate that the sample was almost single phase with a rhombohedral structure. The morphology studies show that Bi0.8La0.2FeO3 particles are mainly cubic with an average size of 2 μm. The room-temperature field dependence of magnetization for the Bi0.8La0.2FeO3 exhibits a hysteresis behavior. The temperature dependence of magnetization indicates the magnetic ordering temperature is 660 K. The ferroelectric properties of Bi0.8La0.2FeO3 particles were investigated by piezoreponse force microscopy.