Effect of the incorporation of BiFeO₃ on the structural, electrical and magnetic properties of the lead-free Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃

Abstract

<abstract> <p>Powders of the system (1–<italic>x</italic>)Bi<sub>0.5</sub>Na<sub>0.5</sub>TiO<sub>3</sub>–<italic>x</italic>BiFeO<sub>3</sub> (<italic>x</italic> = 0, 0.02, 0.08, 0.10) are synthesized by the combustion reaction method. The crystal structure and the particle size of Bi<sub>0.5</sub>Na<sub>0.5</sub>TiO<sub>3</sub> are modified by the incorporation of BiFeO<sub>3</sub>, as can be seen from the infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction results. The inclusion of iron and the increase in the molar percentage of bismuth in the BNT matrix generate new bonds with a different force constant. The structural analysis showed that the addition of BFO to the BNT does not induce any structural phase transition, preserving the rhombohedral symmetry of the Bi<sub>0.5</sub>Na<sub>0.5</sub>TiO<sub>3</sub> system. The electrical measurements show that the incorporation of iron increases the conductivity of the system generated by an increase in the concentration of oxygen vacancies; alternatively, the addition of 10% of BiFeO<sub>3</sub> generates ferrimagnetic behavior reflected in the magnetic hysteresis curves obtained at room temperature.</p> </abstract>