Phase transformation and two-mode phonon behavior of (1 − x) [Ba Zr0.025Ti0.975O3]-(x) [BiFeO3] solid solutions

In the present work the compounds with x ⩽1.0 in the system (1 − x) [BaZr0.025Ti0.975O3]-(x) [BiFeO3] have been synthesized using solid state reaction method. X-ray diffractograms and Raman spectra reveal the formation of single phase solid solution. The wave number shift and intensity ratio of A-O and B-O bonds in Raman spectra reveals structural changes with the concentration of bismuth ferrite. The linear dependence of the intensity ratio at B-sites i.e. I(Fe−O)/I(Ti−O) on the concentration of substituent suggests solid solution formation with two phonon mode behavior. A broad minima in the plot of Intensity ratio at A-sites (I(Ba−O)/I(Bi−O)) with x has been observed for the compositions range 0.6 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.7. A correlation between the variation of the intensity ratio at A-sites and B-sites with x has been established to explain multiferroicity in these samples. P-E and M-H measurements indicate that the sample with x = 0.6 exhibits prominent multiferroic properties.