Improved Ferroelectric and Magnetic Properties of Bismuth Ferrite-Based Ceramics by Introduction of Non-Isovalent Ions and Grain Engineering.

Single-phase multiferroics exhibiting ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism are considered pivotal for advancing next-generation multistate memories, spintronic devices, sensors, and logic devices. In this study, the magnetic and electric characteristics of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO) ceramics were enhanced through compositional design and grain engineering. BiFeO ceramic was co-substituted by neodymium (Nd) and niobium (Nb), two non-isovalent elements, via the spark plasma sintering process using phase-pure powder prepared via sol-gel as the precursor.