Structural transformation and multiferroic properties of Ba-Mn co-doped BiFeO3

Pure BiFeO3 and Bi1-xBaxFe1-xMnxO3 (x = 0.10, 0.20) fine ceramics were synthesized using mechanosynthesis route. The influence of co-doping (Ba-Mn) on structural and multiferroic properties of BiFeO3 has been studied in different experimental conditions. X-ray diffraction patterns, Rietveld structural refinement of XRD patterns and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra reveal the structural transition from rhombohedral (R3c) to the biphasic structure (R3c + P4mm) on co-doping. The co-doping improves surface morphology and also reduces the particle size. The room temperature M-H loops of all samples showed antiferromagnetic/weak ferromagnetic behavior. Magnetoelectric coupling coefficient determination is carried out to reveal extent of intimate interaction between electric and magnetic dipoles interaction in the samples. Room temperature occurrence of ferromagnetism, ferroelectricity and magnetoelectric effect supports the observation of multiferroism and magnetoelectric coupling in BiFeO3. Thus, co-doping at Bi- and Fe-sites of BiFeO3 can improve multiferroic properties of BiFeO3 for various applications. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.