Multiferroic magnetoelectric coupling and relaxor ferroelectric behavior in 0.7BiFeO3–0.3BaTiO3 nanocrystals

The structural, microstructural, polarization, magnetization, dielectric constant, and relaxor characteristics of 0.7BiFeO3–0.3BaTiO3 (BF–BT) nanocrystals have been studied. BF–BT nanocrystals were prepared by a chemical route using polyvinyl alcohol as surfactant. The phase structure is confirmed by X-ray diffraction and average particle size by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The magnetoelectric coupling is studied by polarization hysteresis loops under the influence of applied magnetic field and the phase transition anomaly. The diffuse phase transition is studied by modified Curie–Weiss law and relaxor characteristics by Vogel–Fulcher relation.

► High polarization in nanomultiferroic Bi–Fe–O by the substitution of Ba–Ti–O. ► Use polyvinyl alcohol as surfactant to reduce the grain size. ► Magnetoelectric coupling by polarization hysteresis under the influence of applied magnetic field. ► Magnetic phase transition near electric transition. ► Diffuse phase transition and dielectric relaxor.