Structural transformation and ferroelectromagnetic behavior in single-phase Bi1−xNdxFeO3 multiferroic ceramics

Single-phase Bi1−xNdxFeO3 (BNFOx) (x=0–0.2) multiferroic ceramics were prepared to study the effects of Nd substitution on their crystal structure and ferroelectromagnetic behavior. Rietveld refinement of x-ray diffraction data showed a continual transformation of crystal structure from the rhombohedral structure of BNFOx=0 (BiFeO3) to a triclinic structure in BNFOx=0.05–0.15 and a pseudotetragonal structure in BNFOx=0.175–0.2. Ferroelectromagnetic measurements revealed the existence of ferroelectricity with remnant polarization of ∼9μC∕cm2 in BNFOx=0–0.175, paraelectricity in BNFOx=0.2, and weak ferromagnetism with remnant magnetizations of 0.07–0.227emu∕g in BNFOx=0.15–0.2. Magnetoelectric coupling was obvious in BNFOx=0.15–0.175 near the Néel temperature of ∼380°C.