Structural, electrical and magnetic study of multiferroic Bi_1 − xNd_xFeO₃

Abstract

The multiferroic Bi_1 − xNd_xFeO₃ polycrystalline samples were prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction method and were observed to possess the desired phase, i.e., the single-phase. X-ray diffraction of the prepared samples was performed to analyse the crystal structure and to determine the lattice parameters. IR technique was used to recognise and understand the bonding nature of the prepared samples. The ferroelectric nature was identified by taking the P–E loops at various applied voltages, showing improvement in values of remnant polarisation and spontaneous polarisation. The J–E characteristics reveal the resistivity of all the prepared samples and found to have been enhanced largely in Nd-doped samples. The room temperature magnetic hysteresis measurements showed growth in the magnetisation due to the change in structure and spin cycloidal partial destruction produced due to Nd doping in BFO ceramics.