Structure analysis and multiferroic properties of Zr4+ doped BiFeO3 ceramics

Zr4+ doped multiferroic ceramics samples BiFe1−xZrxO3 (x=0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10) were prepared by a solid state reaction method and characterized by X-ray diffraction and X-ray Absorption Fine Structure analysis. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the characteristic peaks of samples were shifted toward a lower angle with the increase of Zr4+ doping concentration. It indicated that the doped Zr4+ ions entered into the crystal lattice. The length of Zr3O bond was calculated based on the results of X-ray Absorption Fine Structure analysis. The abnormal dielectric constant near the Neel temperature of BiFe1−xZrxO3 indirectly demonstrated the coupling between magnetic and electric properties of BiFe1−xZrxO3. The Neel temperature of Zr4+ doped BiFeO3 was ∼20 °C lower than that of the undoped BiFeO3. The Neel temperature of BiFe1−xZrxO3 will be different if the doping amount of Zr4+ is different. However, all the prepared samples are antiferromagnetic.