Magnetoelectric and electric measurements of the (1−x)BiFeO3-(x)Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2)O3 solid solutions

•BF-PFN samples have a densely packed microstructure, with well crystallized grains.•Bi atoms possibly migrate from BF toward PFN component during sintering.•BF-PFN have a diffuse character of the ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition.•Magnetoelectric coefficient (αME) for BF-PFN is higher, than for pure BF.•The αME for BF-PFN is about three times higher than for 0.75BiFeO3-0.25BaTiO3.

In the paper ferro-electro-magnetic (1-x)BiFeO3−(x)Pb(Fe1/2Nb1/2)O3 (BF-PFN) solid solutions were obtained (containing the percentage BF/PFN: 60/40 and 70/30). Individual components of the solid solution were prepared by follows methods: synthesizing a powder BF was performed by calcining the simple oxides (Bi2O3, Fe2O3), and synthesizing a powder PFN was carried out by calcining a mixture of complex oxides (FeNbO4, PbO). Compaction of synthesized and mixed BiFeO3, PbFe1/2Nb1/2O3 powders was carried out by free sintering methods.X-ray, microstructure, dielectric, magnetic and magnetoelectric studies, DC electrical conductivity and electrical hysteresis loop were carried out. Magnetoelectric effect measurements performed at room temperature showed coupling between electric and magnetic subsystem of the BF-PFN solid solutions.