Studies of electrical and multiferroic properties of lead-free Bi0.9Ca0.1Fe0.9Mn0.1O3

Abstract

The sample of Bi0.9Ca0.1Fe0.9Mn0.1O3 was prepared using mechanical milling technique, and further was successively given heat treatment. The structural analysis (XRD data) suggests that the sample crystallizes in the rhombohedral (R3c) crystal structure. The co-substitution of Ca-Mn in Bismuth Ferrite (BFO) improves surface properties and enhances the reduction in particle size. A dielectric study on the sample was inspected on varying temperature and frequency range. The impedance study reveals the sturdy dependence of electrical properties on both frequencies as well temperatures having corresponded with the morphology. Room temperature ferroelectric hysteresis (P-E) loop shows the presence of ferroelectricity and a small reduction in leakage current was detected. The magnetic measurement divulges the enrichment in magnetization because of the distortion in structure and partial destruction of spin cycloid originating from co-substitution. The extent of interaction between the dipoles present in the ceramics can be estimated by the calculation of M-E coupling coefficient. The existence of ferroelectricity, ferromagnetism, and magneto-electric effect in the sample supports the strong enhancement in the multiferroism and magneto-electric coupling of BFO.