Ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties of Mn-doped 0.7BiFeO3-0.3BaTiO3 solid solution

Binary solid solutions 0.7BiFeO(3)-0.3BaTiO(3)-x wt.% MnO2 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5) were prepared by a traditional ceramic process. All ceramic samples show single perovskite phase. The effect of manganese doping on structure, dielectric, ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties, and resistivity was investigated. Results show that Mn-dopant can improve the sintering ability of the materials when MnO2 content is below 0.3 wt.%. When MnO2 content exceeds 0.3 wt.%, the sintering ability is weakened and the phase structure of 0.7BiFeO(3)-0.3BaTiO(3) solid solution changes from rhombohedral into tetragonal phase. With increasing concentration of MnO2, the resistivity increases at first and then decreases. Whereas the coercive electric field decreases at first and then increases, the remanent magnetization M-r increases and the coercive magnetic field decreases. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.