Crystal structure, piezoelectric and magnetic properties of solid solutions BiMn1-xFexO3 (x ≤ 0.4)

Abstract

Сrystal structure, piezoelectric and magnetic properties of solid solutions BiMn1-xFexO3 (x ≤ 0.4) prepared by solid-phase reactions from a stoichiometric mixture of simple oxides at high pressures and temperatures have been studied. The structure of the compounds is characterized by the concentration driven phase transition from the monoclinic structure to the orthorhombic structure at x ≈ 0.2; wherein the ordering dz2 of the orbitals of Mn3+ ions is destroyed, and the inhomogeneous magnetic state is stabilized. Solid solutions with 0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.4 are characterized by a nonzero piezoelectric response, wherein both ferroelectric and magnetic domain structures exist, the ferroelectric switching voltage decreases with an increase of iron ions concentration, while the residual magnetization value decreases. The maximum value of the piezoresponse signal is observed in the compound BiMn0.7Fe0.3O3. The work clarifies the relationship between the chemical composition, the crystal structure, piezoelectric and magnetic properties of solid solutions BiMn1-xFexO3. The presence of both magnetic and electric dipole ordering indicates the perspectives for the practical usage of such materials.