Boosting the optical, dielectric, and ferromagnetic properties of BiFeO3–BaTiO3 ceramics by Eu substitution

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of incorporating Eu into 0.8BiFeO3-0.2BaTiO3 ceramics (0.8 (Bi(1-x)EuxFeO3) - 0.2BaTiO3 for x = 0 and 0.05) through cost-effective solid-state sintering. Analyzing structural, microstructural, optical, ferromagnetic, and dielectric properties, it confirms pure perovskite structures exclusively crystallizing in the rhombohedral phase. Eu3+ integration yields homogeneous distribution, reduced grain size (1.57 μm–1.40 μm), and a decreased optical band gap (2.06 ± 0.02 eV to 1.65 ± 0.02 eV). Ferromagnetic properties improve, with remnant magnetization rising from Mr = 0.4406 emu/g to Mr = 0.5096 emu/g. Dielectric analysis identifies grain contributions, and Jonsher low analysis indicates the dominance of the Model of Correlated Barrier Hopping in conduction. The study emphasizes the potential technological applications of Eu-modified 0.8BiFeO3-0.2BaTiO3 ceramics, offering valuable insights into their physical properties.