BiFeO3: A Review on Synthesis, Doping and Crystal Structure

BiFeO3, the paradigm of single-phase multiferroic materials, has potential applications in information storage, sensors and actuators. This perovskite has a rhombohedral R3c crystallographic structure and shows a spin-modulated cycloidal magnetic structure with a modulation period of similar to 62 nm. It reveals magnetoelectric coupling at room temperature. However, its low remanent magnetization and relatively important leakage current are the main limitations for possible applications. In this review we summarize recent studies on doped BiFeO3. Special attention is put on obtaining and sintering bulk BiFeO3 ceramics and the effect of doping on the electric and magnetic properties.