Coexistence of ferroelectricity and magnetism in transition-metal-dopedn = 3 Aurivillius phases

Abstract

Magnetic-cation-doped three-layer Aurivillius phasesBi2−xSr2+x(Nb/Ta)2+xM1−xO12,x≈ 0.5and M = Ru4+, Ir4+ or Mn4+, are shown to have the same orthorhombic space group symmetry and similar dielectricand ferroelectric properties as their (non-magnetic) ferroelectric parent compoundsBi2−xSr2+xNb2+xTi1−xO12,x = 0, 0.5. The magnetic-cation-doped phases also show evidence for short-range ferromagnetic(M = Mn) andantiferromagnetic (M = Ru and Ir) exchange, demonstrating the potential of these naturally layered phases astemplates for multiferroic (magnetoelectric) materials.