Magnetic and dielectric properties of the new YFeO3/BiFeO3 nanocomposite ceramics prepared via reverse chemical co-precipitation followed by spark plasma sintering

Abstract

New xYFeO3 – (1-x) BiFeO3 (0.0≤x≤1.0) multiferroic composites were prepared successfully via the chemical co-precipitation followed by high energy mechanical blending. For the structural analysis, assessment of phase purity, and characterization of oxidation states, XRD, FTIR and XPS methods were utilized, respectively. Furthermore, morphological investigations and elemental distribution within the composite samples were elucidated through FESEM and TEM imaging techniques. The VSM results indicated that the values of Ms and Mr increase alternately from 0.553emu/g and 0.049emu/g to 1.210emu/g and 0.166emu/g, respectively, with an increase in the YFO content from 20% to 80%. These values of Ms do not follow a linear combination of the base phases, and the magnetization of each composite sample is accompanied by an additional value. This additional value may arise from the residual strain and interfacial magnetic and electrical interactions between the parent phases. The measurements of dielectric properties disclosed that the behavior of the samples follows the Maxwell-Wagner polarization. Moreover, the values of ε' at the frequency of 200Hz increased from 149 to 303 as the BFO content rose from 20% to 80%. In addition, the lowest recorded tanδ value was 0.56 for the 6Y4B sample at 200Hz. Furthermore, the conductivity measurements showed that the behavior of all samples follows Johnscher’s power law.