Magnetism and electrode dependant resistive switching in Ca-doped ceramic bismuth ferrite

Here we report on the preparation and structural, magnetic and electrical characterization of BiFeO3 and Bi0.9Ca0.1FeO3 ceramic multiferroic samples. We suggest that Ca-doping creates oxygen vacancies and destabilizes the BiFeO3 spiral magnetic structure. We also study resistive switching effects in Bi0.9Ca0.1FeO3 with metallic electrodes, finding that the appearance of the effect is dependant on the fabrication procedure of the metallic electrode. On the basis of these observations, we critically revise some assumptions in currently available models of resistive switching of complex oxides.