Phase transformation and two-mode phonon behavior of (1 − x) [Ba Zr0.025Ti0.975O3]–(x) [BiFeO3] solid solutions

Abstract

In the present work the compounds with x⩽1.0 in the system (1−x) [BaZr0.025Ti0.975O3]–(x) [BiFeO3] have been synthesized using solid state reaction method. X-ray diffractograms and Raman spectra reveal the formation of single phase solid solution. The wave number shift and intensity ratio of A–O and B–O bonds in Raman spectra reveals structural changes with the concentration of bismuth ferrite. The linear dependence of the intensity ratio at B-sites i.e. I(Fe−O)/I(Ti−O) on the concentration of substituent suggests solid solution formation with two phonon mode behavior. A broad minima in the plot of Intensity ratio at A-sites (I(Ba−O)/I(Bi−O)) with x has been observed for the compositions range 0.6⩽x⩽0.7. A correlation between the variation of the intensity ratio at A-sites and B-sites with x has been established to explain multiferroicity in these samples. P–E and M–H measurements indicate that the sample with x=0.6 exhibits prominent multiferroic properties.