Enhanced multiferroic characteristics in Fe-doped Bi4Ti3O12 ceramics

Modification of Bi4Ti3O12 multiferroic ceramics prepared by a conventional solid state reaction method were investigated by substituting Ti partly with Fe. The introduction of Fe does not change the layered perovskite structure of Bi4Ti3O12. Upon increasing Fe content, the remnant polarization of the samples is enhanced. The magnetism of the ceramics at room temperature develops from diamagnetism to weak ferromagnetism with increasing Fe doping. The largest variations of 15% and 6% in remnant polarization and magnetization, achieved in a Bi4Ti1Fe2O12-delta sample after poling it in a magnetic field at 1 T and a DC electric field at 30 kV/cm for 10 min, are evidence of magnetoelectric coupling between the electric dipoles and magnetic dipoles at room temperature. The present results suggest a new candidate for a room temperature multiferroic material with enhanced properties. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.