Room-temperature multiferroic properties and magnetoelectric coupling in Bi4-x Sm (x) Ti3-x Co (x) O12-delta ceramics

Abstract

We present the structural, dielectric, ferroelectric, magnetic and magnetoelectric studies of lead free; single phase Bi4-x Sm (x) Ti3-x Co (x) O12-delta (0 a parts per thousand currency sign x a parts per thousand currency sign 0.07) ceramics, synthesized using a standard solid-state reaction technique. Raman spectroscopy analysis reveals the relaxation of distortion in TiO6 octahedron. Field emission scanning electron microscopy confirmed the growth of plate-like grains. It is observed that with the substitution of Sm3+ and Co3+ ions the dielectric constant, loss tangent and ferroelectric transition temperature decreases. Electrical dc resistivity, remnant polarization and magnetization increases with increasing Sm3+ and Co3+ contents. The magnetoelectric coupling co-efficient, alpha = 0.65 mV cm(-1) Oe(-1) is realized for Bi4-x Sm (x) Ti3-x Co (x) O12-delta (x = 0.07) ceramic sample. Our results clearly demonstrate the lead free, multiferroic nature of Sm/Co-substituted Bi4Ti3O12, which may find useful application in designing cost-effective electromagnetic devices