Simultaneously improved magnetization and polarization in BiFeO3 based multiferroic composites

The multiferroic composites with nominal stoichiometry Bi0.8Dy0.2Fe1-yTiyO3+δ were fabricated by adding Ti to Bi0.8Dy0.2FeO3 through a two-stage solid-state reaction method. In the composites obtained, the major phase was isostructural to Bi0.8Dy0.2FeO3, and the secondary phase of Dy3Fe5O12 was also detected. Most interestingly, it was found that both the magnetization and electrical polarization were encouraged by the secondary phase Dy3Fe5O12. In addition to the improved ferroelectric property, a large saturation magnetization of 2.07 emu/g was reached for y ≥0.03 samples. The simultaneously enhanced ferroelectric and magnetic properties achieved in the composites due to the existence of ferrimagnetic insulated Dy3Fe5O12 may have implications for further studies on BiFeO3 based materials.