Synthesis, microstructure and dielectric properties of Sb-doped multiferroic Bi0.8Ba0.2Fe1−xSbxO3 ceramics

Abstract

The multiferroic ceramics Bi[Formula: see text]Ba[Formula: see text]Fe[Formula: see text]SbxO3 with [Formula: see text], 0.01, and 0.02 were synthesized using the solid-phase reaction technique. The samples were sintered at two different temperatures, 850∘C and 900∘C. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the effect of antimony concentration on grain size and formation. The effect of Sb-doping on the crystal structure and ferroelectric properties of these ceramics was investigated using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and dielectric measurements. The dielectric constant was enhanced upon Fe[Formula: see text] substitution by Sb[Formula: see text] without affecting the dielectric loss of the ceramics. The tetragonal distortion of the rhombohedral symmetry of BiFeO3 caused by Ba-doping at Bi[Formula: see text] site was lifted by Sb-doping at Fe[Formula: see text] site.