Tuning ferroelectrics to antiferroelectrics in multiferroic LaxSr1−xFe12O19 ceramics

Abstract

The combination of antiferroelectricity (AFE) and ferromagnetism (FM) in one structure would allow the development of new type of multiferroic candidates, which be applicable not only in magnetoelectric memories but also in novel energy storage devices. Here we propose a novel type of multiferroic candidate LaxSr1-xFe12O19, whose room temperature state could betuned from ferroelectrics (FE) to antiferroelectrics by changing x from 0 to 0.5. The emphasis of this paper will be focused on the La0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19 system, in which full AFE and FM coexist. The pure antiferroelectric behavior in La0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19 ceramics is demonstrated by double polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis loops, which are fully separated by a linear antiferroelectric AFE component with zero net polarization. The material of La0.2Sr0.7Fe12O19 with the intermediate composition exhibits a hybrid ferroelectric/antiferroelectric state. The recoverable energy density of the antiferroelectric La0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19 phase reaches 14.3 J/cm3. This material demonstrates strong magnetoelectric coupling and giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect. A 1.1T magnetic field generates electronic polarization up to 0.95uC/cm2, reduce the resistance by 117%, enhances dielectric constants by 540% and right shifts the maximum dielectric loss peak by 208 kHz. The combined functional responses provide an opportunity to develop novel multifunctional electric and energy storage devices.