Structural and magnetic properties of isovalently substituted multiferroic BiFeO3: Insights from Raman spectroscopy
Journal article, 2012

Raman spectra, supplemented by powder x-ray diffraction and magnetization data of isovalently A- and B-site substituted BiFeO3 in the Bi1−xLaxFeO3 (0≤x≤1), Bi1−xTbxFeO3 (0≤x≤0.2), and Bi0.9Sm0.1Fe1−xMnxO3 (0≤x≤0.3) series, are presented. A good agreement between the structural transitions observed by x-ray diffraction and the vibrational modes observed in the Raman spectra is found over the whole substitutional ranges, and in particular we find spectroscopic signatures of a PbZrO3-type structure for Bi0.8La0.2FeO3. Mode assignments in the substituted materials are made based on Raman spectra of the end-members BiFeO3 and LaFeO3. Moreover, by comparing spectra from all samples with R3c structure, the phonon assignment in BiFeO3 is revisited. A close connection between the degree of octahedral tilt and the Raman shift of the A1 oxygen a−a−a− tilt mode is established. An explanation for the strong second-order scattering observed in Bi1−xLaxFeO3 and Bi1−xTbxFeO3 is suggested, including the assignment of the previously mysterious BiFeO3 mode at 620 cm−1. Finally, the magnetization data indicates a transition from a cycloidal modulated state towards a canted antiferromagnet with increasing A-site substitution, while Bi0.9Sm0.1Fe1−xMnxO3 with x=0 and 0.15 exhibit an anomalous closing of the hysteresis loop at low temperatures. For low A-site substitution levels (x≤0.1) the decreasing Raman intensity of the Fe derived modes correlates with the partial destruction of the spin cycloid as the substitution level increases.

Author

Johan Bielecki

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Condensed Matter Physics

Peter Svedlindh

Dessie Tibebu

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering

Shengzhen Cai

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering

Sten Eriksson

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Environmental Inorganic Chemistry

Lars Börjesson

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Condensed Matter Physics

Christopher Knee

Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Environmental Inorganic Chemistry

Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics

24699950 (ISSN) 24699969 (eISSN)

Vol. 86 184422 184422

Enhanced multiferroic behaviour in co-doped BiFeO3 via bulk synthesis and thin film deposition routes

Swedish Research Council (VR) (2011-3851), 2012-01-01 -- 2014-12-31.

Subject Categories

Materials Engineering

Physical Sciences

Areas of Advance

Materials Science

DOI

10.1103/PhysRevB.86.184422

More information

Latest update

4/5/2022 6