Modified ferroelectric/magnetic and leakage current density properties of Co and Sm co-doped bismuth ferrites

Pure and doped multiferroic samples of bismuth ferrite (BFO) were successfully synthesized by the sol-gel technique. Detailed investigations were made on the influence of (Sm and Co) doping on structural, ferroelectric, magnetic, dielectric and leakage current density properties of the BFO. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed a lattice distortion from a rhombohedral structure to a tetragonal structure upon doping Sm and Co in BFO. It is also observed that Sm-doping increases the symmetry and decreases the second phases noticeably. Microstructure investigation using the scanning electron microscope showed a reduction of grain size with doping in BFO. Furthermore, the co-doping enhances the dielectric properties as a result of the reduction in the Fe2+ ions and oxygen vacancies. The room temperature P-E loop study shows that ferroelectric properties are strongly depend on doping. The co-doping of Sm and Co in BFO had a significant improvement on the magnetic properties. Meanwhile, the doping of Sm and Co in BFO effectively reduced the leakage current and enhanced the ferroelectric properties. The simultaneous enhancement of magnetic and ferroelectric properties shows the great potential applications of BFO. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.