X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Magnetic and Dielectric Studies of PbFe1/2Nb1/2O3 Single Crystals

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), magnetic and dielectric studies were performed for flux grown PbFe1/2Nb1/2O3 (PFN) single crystals. The core level XPS spectra show that the Pb, Nb and O ions exist in one valence state while Fe ions in two Fe2+ and Fe3+ states. Temperature dependences of magnetic susceptibility reveals maximum at 10 K (ZFC) and anomaly at T-N = 156 K related to AFM-PM transition. Dielectric and pyroelectric studies point to two ferroelectric phase transitions at 356 K and 376 K. The influence of appearance of the Fe2+ state on magnetic and semiconductor properties of PFN is discussed.