Abstract
This study highlights structural evolution, nanoscale polarization switching and electromechanical mechanisms in lead-free perovskite (1-x)BiFeO3–xHoFeO3 ceramics in the vicinity of the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). A phase crossover from ferroelectric rhombohedral R3c phase to nonpolar orthorhombic Pnma phase is identified as the system crosses the MPB. Local electric-field switched piezoresponse microscopies indicate a decreasing switchable-polarization percentage near the MPB. Ferroelectric-relaxor phase crossover takes place within the grains, accompanied by a V-shape hysteresis loop of electromechanical strain vs. bias voltage in the vicinity of the MPB. The oxygen K-edge synchrotron X-ray absorption suggests a decreased Bi 6s2 lone pair as the system approaches the MPB, which plays an important role in modification of local ferroelectric polarization. The enhanced ferromagnetic behavior may originate from collective effects, including structural distortion, exchange interactions, suppression of antiferromagnetic spin structure, and fewer oxygen vacancies, caused by the A-site Ho substitution.
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