Optimizing the photostrictive performance of BiFeO3-based multiferroic ceramics

Lead-free multiferroic ceramics with the composition of 0.7Bi1-xPrxFe0.96Mn0.04O3-0.3BaTiO3 (BPFM-BT) were successfully fabricated by the traditional solid-state reaction method. In this work, an appropriate amount of Pr has been introduced in the Bi3+ site of the ceramic, which has resulted in a significant enhancement in ferroelectric (Pr = 12.18 mu C/cm2), piezoelectric properties (d33 = 116 pC/N), along with narrow bandgap (<1.87 eV), and improved photostriction performance (6.43 x 10-12 m3W-1). In the present work, by optimizing the thickness of the sample perpendicular to the incident light, both the photo-induced strain and the light response speed are improved, while an applied external magnetic field has been found to reduce the photostrictive performance of the multiferroic ceramics. The significant redshift of the Raman mode related to the distortion of the internal BO6 octahedron under various laser power indicates the expansion of the crystal lattice. The obtained results show that multiferroic BPFM-BT ceramics have great potential in the multifunctionality application of wireless photosensitive sensors.

Automated summary

Lead-free multiferroic ceramics BPFM-BT were successfully fabricated with enhanced ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties, narrow bandgap, and improved photostriction performance by introducing Pr into the Bi3+ site. Optimizing the thickness of the sample improved the photo-induced strain and light response speed, while an external magnetic field reduced the photostrictive performance. These ceramics show great potential in the multifunctionality application of wireless photosensitive sensors.