Preparation, structures, and multiferroic properties of single-phase BiRFeO3, R = La and Er ceramics

A simple and effective method of solid state reaction followed by quenching process is used to prepare multiferroic Er3+ and La3+ doped BiFeO3 ceramics. X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that these ceramics were of single-phase perovskite structure. Doping with La enhanced the dielectric, ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties of BiFeO3. A-site substitution with the La and Er ions has been found to suppress the spiral spin structure of BiFeO3 giving rise to the appearance of room-temperature weak ferromagnetism. The enhanced multiferroic properties are attributed to the enhanced magnetoelectric interaction, which results from the La and Er substitution-induced destruction of the spin cycloid.