Synergistic effects of constituents in rare earth-based composites: Enhanced structural, electrical and magnetic properties for water splitting applications

Rare earth-based Bi0.85La0.15FeO3 (BLFO) and NdMnO3 (NMO) particles were synthesised using the solid-state route, and their roles affecting structural, electrical, magnetic properties along with hydroelectric application in different concentrations i.e., (1–x)BLFO:xNMO (where x = 0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30 and 1.0) ceramics composites were investigated. X-ray diffraction analyses confirm the pure-phase formation of BLFO:NMO composites, featuring micrometer-scale crystallite sizes. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra of BLFO:NMO composites reveal peak shifts with rising NMO content, indicating composite formation. These composites exhibit robust Maxwell–Wagner polarization and a pronounced composition-dependent behavior. The addition of NMO to BLFO results in a rise in dielectric permittivity at lower frequencies, confirming relaxor behavior and indicating success in achieving the transition temperature. Impedance spectroscopy facilitates a clearer understanding of how charge carriers contribute to these composites and the impact of grain/grain boundaries. The saturation magnetization maximum value (i.e., 0.807 emu/g) was attained in 0.7BLFO-0.3NMO. The coercivity decreases with the addition of NMO in BLFO. The results suggest the composite's enhanced suitability for microelectronics and hydropower cells, showing improved hydroelectric cell performance with increased NMO in BLFO, highlighting a notable ion diffusion mechanism.