Influence of transition metal ions on multiferroic properties of lead-free NBT–BT ceramics

Abstract

Using the conventional solid-state reaction method, 0.5[Formula: see text]wt.% of MnO2-, NiO-, Cr2O3-, Fe2O3- and Co2O3-added 0.94[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]TiO3 (NBT)–0.06BaTiO3 (BT) ceramics were prepared. The perovskite nature of the prepared ceramics was analyzed by powder XRD and the surface morphology was studied by means of SEM. The dielectric analysis was carried out from room temperature to [Formula: see text]C at various frequencies and the diffusive transition at the dielectric maxima confirmed the relaxor nature of the ceramics. Creation of oxygen vacancies by the possible substitution of ferromagnetic impurities decreased the dielectric constant and piezoelectric constant ([Formula: see text]. The co-existence of ferromagnetism and the ferroelectricity was observed in the Mn, Ni, Co and Cr-added NBT–BT ceramics. The magnetic force microscopy (MFM) analysis was carried out to study the ferromagnetic domains in the prepared ceramic.