Structural transformation, dielectric and multiferroic properties of (Gd1-xBax)(Fe1-xTix)O3 ceramics by tuning composition

The structural transformation, ferro-paraelectric and magnetic ordering induced dielectric phase transitions, multiferroic properties, relaxation and conduction mechanisms of (Gd1-xBax)(Fe1-xTix)O3 ceramics with different compositions (x = 0.0–0.4) have systematically been investigated. The chemical route is adopted for material synthesis. Rietveld refinement reveals the structural transformation from orthorhombic to mixed phase (coexistence of orthorhombic and tetragonal phase) for x > 0.2. The analysis of the FESEM micrographs suggests a decrease in average grain size with the increase in BT in the composition. Dielectric anomalies are explained based on ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition of BaTiO3, polarization induced by a spin reorientation, and antiferromagnetic ordering of GdFeO3. The multiferroic properties of all the samples are studied from P-E, M-H, and magneto-electric plots. The improved magnetic properties in compositions x = 0.1–0.3, make them suitable candidates for spintronic devices. The maximum magneto-electric coupling coefficient of 4.77 mV/cm‧Oe in the composition x = 0.3, makes it very much suitable for application in magnetoelectric coupling devices.