Influence of diamagnetic Zn on structural, ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties of BiFe1-xZnxO3 (0% ≤ x ≤ 8%)

Nanocrystallites with the compositional formula BiFe1-xZnxO3 (x = 0.0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.08) were synthesised by sol-gel method route. The influence of Zn doping on structural, dielectric, ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties was discussed in detail. XRD studies confirmed the crystallinity and phase formation of all the samples. Slight lattice distortion has been observed for x = 0.08 sample as compared to the pure phase BiFeO3(BFO). Microstructural investigations using SEM showed the increase in grain size with the increase in Zn addition. FTIR studies reveal the presence of necessary bonds in the samples. Enhanced dielectric and ferroelectric properties have been observed with Zn doping upto x = 0.05 concentration and then decreases. Room temperature MH loop showed enhanced ferromagnetic properties upto x = 0.03 Zn content and decreases thereafter. Explanation of the above results was discussed extensively. Simultaneous improvement in both ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties might bring considerable interest in various multiferroic applications.