Interplay of multiple structural phase and magnetic response of Bi1-xPrxFeO3 ceramics

The detailed structural phase transition induced by chemical substitution in Bi1-xPrxFeO3 (x = 0.1-0.2) poly-crystalline ceramics is reported herein. Pr3+ substitution is observed to destabilize the polar R3c symmetry due to the chemical strain effect caused by the large ionic radius mismatch at the Bi-site. The R3c rhombohedral phase can only be stabilized up to 14 mol% of Pr doping (x < 0.14); the phase transition starts to appear at a higher Pr concentration (x >= 0.14), forming a morphotropic phase boundary between the R3c rhombohedral and Pbam orthorhombic phases. Increasing Pr concentration causes the magnetic transition from a pure antiferromagnetic to a weak ferromagnetic state as a result of the evolution of crystal structure. The influence of PB spins on the magnetic properties of Bi1-xPrxFeO3 compounds has been uncovered through manipulation of the mixed phase state by an electric field, temperature, and structural relaxation.

Automated summary

This study reports the detailed structural phase transition induced by chemical substitution in Bi1-xPrxFeO3 polycrystalline ceramics. Pr3+ substitution is found to destabilize the polar R3c symmetry due to the chemical strain effect caused by the large ionic radius mismatch at the Bi-site. The R3c rhombohedral phase can only be stabilized up to 14 mol% of Pr doping; the phase transition starts to appear at a higher Pr concentration, forming a morphotropic phase boundary between the R3c rhombohedral and Pbam orthorhombic phases. Increasing Pr concentration causes the magnetic transition from a pure antiferromagnetic to a weak ferromagnetic state due to the evolution of crystal structure.