Spontaneous magnetic moment in BiFeO < inf > 3 < /inf > -BaTiO < inf > 3 < /inf > solid solutions at low temperatures

Abstract

The solid solutions with perovskite structure, x · (BiFeO3)-(1 - x) · BaTiO3 have been synthesised with x values ranging from 0.9, 0.8, 0.75, 0.7 and 0.6 adopting a solid state sintering route. The samples show spontaneous magnetic moment at low temperatures. At room temperature the true nature of the materials is antiferromagnetic and as the field is increased they become ferromagnetic, indicating a field-induced transition. With increasing content of BaTiO3 and temperature, the samples have a paramagnetic state with weak ferromagnetic ordering. With increasing field, the spins flip towards the field direction giving rise to ferromagnetism. © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.