Abstract
Driven by potentially photo-electro-magnetic functionality, Bi-containing Aurivillius-type oxides of binary Bi4Ti3O12-BiFeO3 system with a general formula of Bin+1Fen−3Ti3O3n+3, typically in a naturally layered perovskite-related structure, have attracted increasing research interest, especially in the last twenty years. Benefiting from highly structural tolerance and simultaneous electric dipole and magnetic ordering at room temperature, these Aurivillius-phase oxides as potentially single-phase and room-temperature multiferroic materials can accommodate many different cations and exhibit a rich spectrum of properties. In this review, firstly, we discussed the characteristics of Aurivillius-phase layered structure and recent progress in the field of synthesis of such materials with various architectures. Secondly, we summarized recent strategies to improve ferroelectric and magnetic properties, consisting of chemical modification, interface engineering, oxyhalide derivatives and morphology controlling. Thirdly, we highlighted some research hotspots on magnetoelectric effect, catalytic activity, microwave absorption, and photovoltaic effect for promising applications. Finally, we provided an updated overview on the understanding and also highlighting of the existing issues that hinder further development of the multifunctional Bin+1Fen−3Ti3O3n+3 materials.
Highlights
In single-phase crystals, magnetic moment and electric dipole are often mutually exclusive [1,2,3]; the discovery of multiferroics as a favorable topics in condensed matters and materials physics, breaks the principle of this exclusion
A combination of ferroic orders in the multiferroics can lead to coupling between them, so that one ferroic property can be manipulated with the conjugated field of the other, such as the magnetoelectric (ME)
Such oxides exhibit important characteristics as follows: (i) structure breaks the spiral spin canting superposed onto the G-type antiferromagnetic order as well as can accommodate different magnetic ions realizing strong magnetic interactions; (ii) the origin of the ferroelectricity is a combination of oxygen octahedral rotations and polar distortions; (iii) different layer numbers in the perovskite slabs show a larger difference on physical properties
Summary
In single-phase crystals, magnetic moment (un-paired localized electrons in the partially filled d-orbital) and electric dipole (the empty d orbitals rule) are often mutually exclusive [1,2,3]; the discovery of multiferroics as a favorable topics in condensed matters and materials physics, breaks the principle of this exclusion. It is commonly known that the Bin+1 Fen −3 Ti3 O3n+3 (BFTO-n) compounds of binary Bi4 Ti3 O12 -BiFeO3 system combine FE, magnetic and ME properties, making the potentially attractive for producing advanced materials for information processing and storage applications [16,17,18] Such oxides exhibit important characteristics as follows: (i) structure breaks the spiral spin canting superposed onto the G-type antiferromagnetic order as well as can accommodate different magnetic ions realizing strong magnetic interactions; (ii) the origin of the ferroelectricity is a combination of oxygen octahedral rotations and polar distortions; (iii) different layer numbers in the perovskite slabs show a larger difference on physical properties. In this review, recent progress in the fields of the synthesis of the BFTO-n with various architectures, modifications of electrical, and magnetic responses by different approaches, and their extraordinary properties for promising applications are discussed to present a roadmap for the advance of the BFTO-n oxides
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
