Multiferroic properties in Zn and Ni co-doped BiFeO3 ceramics by solution combustion method (SCM)

In present paper, we synthesize the multiferroic Bi_1-xZn_xFe_1-yNi_yO₃ (x=y=0.025, 0.05, 0.075 and 0.1) ceramics by using solution combustion method (SCM). The room temperature ferroelectric and magnetic hysteresis loops present the co-existence of magnetism and ferroelectricity in a single phase. This ferroelectric hysteresis loops exhibit an unsaturated behavior and represents a partial reversal of polarization at room temperature. Beside, this it was found that the room temperature magnetization measurement is giving rise to the appearance of weak ferromagnetism. The Bi_0.975Zn_0.025Fe_0.975Ni_0.025O₃ and Bi_0.9Zn_0.1Fe_0.9Ni_0.1O₃ ceramics display the clear evidence of dielectric anomaly around 300 and 325 °C which corresponds to antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic phase transition of BiFeO₃ ceramics. The structural study shows the Bi_1-xZn_xFe_1-yNi_yO₃ (x=y=0.025, 0.05, 0.075 and 0.1) ceramics have rhombhohedral perovskite structure. The surface morphology of the samples was examined by SEM.