Multiferroic properties of Bi0.87La0.05Tb0.08FeO3 ceramics prepared by spark plasma sintering

Dense Bi0.87La0.05Tb0.08FeO3 ceramics were prepared by spark plasma sintering. The sample showed stable dielectric constant and low dielectric loss (similar to 5%), and a saturation ferroelectric loop with remnant polarization of 17 mu C/cm(2) and saturation polarization of 19 mu C/cm(2), as well as good ferromagnetism with saturation magnetization of 0.71 emu/g, at room temperature. After the sample was poled, its piezoelectric constant was measured as 12.8 pC/N, and, in particular, an obvious magnetoelectric coupling was observed. (C) 2007 American Institute of Physics.