Diluted magnetic ferroelectric effect in BaTi0.9Hf0.05Co0.05O3 ceramic

We report that magnetism, especially ferromagnetism, can be induced in a nonmagnetic ferroelectric oxide such as barium titanate (BaTiO3) with choosing of suitable dopants. High-density polycrystalline sample of BaTi0.9Hf0.05Co0.05O3 was prepared using solid-state sintering route, and the effect of Co and Hf substitution on structural, magnetic and ferroelectric properties of BaTiO3 was studied. The magnetic order obtained in the above sample is of intrinsic in nature. Ferromagnetic behavior shown in the BaTi0.9Hf0.05Co0.05O3 ceramic may be attributed to the effective exchange interactions between oxygen vacancies and Co ions. BaTi0.9Hf0.05Co0.05O3 ceramic has also shown ferroelectric (lossy type) behavior.