Exploring ferroelectric and magnetic properties of Tb-substituted m = 5 layered Aurivillius phase thin films

Abstract

Here, we report the effect of A-site substitution of Tb at the expense of Bi on the ferroelectric and magnetic properties in m = 5 layered 2-D Aurivillius Bi6Ti3Fe2O18 thin films. The nominal stoichiometry of the prepared compound is Tb0.40Bi5.6Fe2Ti3O18, Tb0.90Bi5.1Fe2Ti3O18, and Bi6Ti3Fe2O18. Phase examination reveals that only 0.40 mol. % is successfully substituted forming Tb0.40Bi5.6Fe2Ti3O18 thin films. Lateral and vertical piezoresponse switching loops up to 200 °C reveal responses for Bi6Ti3Fe2O18, Tb substituted Tb0.40Bi5.6Fe2Ti3O18, and Tb0.90Bi5.1Fe2Ti3O18 thin films along the in-plane (±42.31 pm/V, 88 pm/V and ±134 pm/V, respectively) compared with the out-of-plane (±6.15 pm/V, 19.83 pm/V and ±37.52 pm/V, respectively). The macroscopic in-plane polarization loops reveal in-plane saturation (Ps) and remanence polarization (Pr) for Bi6Ti3Fe2O18 of ±26.16 μC/cm2 and ±22 μC/cm2, whereas, ±32.75 μC/cm2 and ±22.11 μC/cm2, ±40.30 μC/cm2 and ±28.5 μC/cm2 for Tb0.40Bi5.6Fe2Ti3O18 and Tb0.90Bi5.1Fe2Ti3O18 thin films, respectively. No ferromagnetic signatures were observed for Bi6Ti3Fe2O18 and Tb0.40Bi5.6Fe2Ti3O18. However, a weak response was observed for the Tb0.90Bi5.1Fe2Ti3O18 at 2 K. Microstructural analysis of Tb0.90Bi5.1Fe2Ti3O18 revealed that it contains 4 vol. % Fe:Tb rich areas forming FexTbyOz, which accounts for the observed magnetic moment. This study demonstrates the importance of thorough microstructural analysis when determining whether magnetic signatures can be reliably assigned to the single-phase system. We conclude that Tb0.40Bi5.6Fe2Ti3O18 and Tb0.90Bi5.1Fe2Ti3O18 samples are not multiferroic but demonstrate the potential for Fe-RAM applications.