Mutual promotion effect of Pr and Mg co-substitution on structure and multiferroic properties of BiFeO3 ceramic

The structure and multiferroic properties of Pr and Mg co-substituted BiFeO3 nanoparticles were investigated in this paper. The magnetization is dramatically increased after co-doping, originated from the release of latent magnetization locked within the cycloid structure. The release of latent magnetization after Pr and Mg co-doping is stronger than the sum of two single doping, indicating a nonlinear enhancement in Pr and Mg co-doping. Meanwhile, the co-substitution can effectively reduce the leakage current and increase the dielectric constant. Compared to the pristine bismuth ferrite, the Bi0.93Pr0.03Mg0.02FeO3 exhibits more than five-fold improved magnetization with simultaneously improved electrical properties, which suggests the co-doped BiFeO3 would be more competitive in applications of data storage and magnetoelectric sensors.