Effects of morphotropic phase boundary on the electric behavior of Er/Ti co-doped BiFeO3 ceramics

Morphotropic phase boundaries (MPB) consisting of rhombohedral and orthorhombic phases formed within the range of 0.1 <= x <= 0.15 in Bi1-xErxFe0.97Ti0.3O3 ceramics. Orthorhombic phase transition was verified by the appearance of a new mode at 310 cm(-1) in Raman spectra. Bridging phases as intermedia phases of MPB were rare in Bi1-xErxFe0.97Ti0.3O3. Polarization and permittivity improved at MPB. Moreover, impedance spectroscopy revealed additional arcs with a distinct small polaron conduction mechanism. Er3+ ions enhanced magnetic properties and induced a permittivity change at Neel temperature. The magnetodielectric effect resulted in a permittivity change rate of similar to 1% at 10000 Oe. (C) 2018 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.