abstract
Bi1-xLaxFeO3 ceramics (0.15 <= x <= 0.2) across the rhombohedral-orthorhombic phase boundary have been studied using X-ray and neutron diffraction, magnetization measurements and piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). The regions of structural stability of the polar, anti-polar and non-polar phases have been identified depending on the dopant concentration and a temperature and the structural phase diagram has been further clarified. The factors influencing phase transitions (size effects, chemical bonds peculiarities, local chemical inhomogeneities, etc.) have been estimated. PFM measurements testified a maximal piezoelectric response for a compound with the dominant rhombohedral phase in a metastable state. Magnetic properties have been discussed assuming weak ferromagnetic state with a major contribution from the orthorhombic phase. An evolution of structural parameters across the phase boundary decisive for improved ferroelectric and magnetic properties has been analyzed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
keywords
EARTH-SUBSTITUTED BIFEO3; PIEZOELECTRIC PROPERTIES; BEHAVIOR; FILMS
subject category
Chemistry; Materials Science; Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
authors
Karpinsky, DV; Troyanchuk, IO; Tovar, M; Sikolenko, V; Efimov, V; Kholkin, AL
our authors
Andrei Kholkin
Principal Researcher
Dzmitry Karpinski (Karpinsky)
Post-doc Fellowshipacknowledgements
This research project has been supported by the European Commission under the 7th Framework Programme through the 'Research Infrastructure' action of the 'Capacities' Programme, NMI3-II Grant number 283883. The authors acknowledge the financial support from the FCT (grant # SFRH/BPD/42506/2007), RFFI (grant # 12-02-90912). FCT project