Studies on the structure and dielectric properties of Ca-doped BiFeO₃ multiferroics

ABSTRACT

We present the results of studies on the dielectric properties of polycrystalline Bi_1-xCa_xFeO₃ (x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.20) (BCFO) multiferroics. Rietveld refined XRD patterns confirm the single phasic nature of 5% & 10% Ca – doped samples crystallizing in superimposed R3c (Rhombohedral) + Pm 3m (Cubic) space group symmetry while 20% Ca – doped sample crystallize in Pm 3m symmetry. Frequency and temperature dependent dielectric constant (ϵ) studies show the contribution of grain and grain boundaries in the system. Complex impedance graph exhibits a single semicircular arc for all the samples, indicating the contribution of grain interior (bulk) property of the material.

KEYWORDS:

• BiFeO₃
• multiferroic
• impedance spectroscopy

Funding

This work is financially supported by UGC-DAE CSR, Indore in the form of CRS Project [No. CSR – IC-BL-54/CRS-171/2016-17/835]. Sadaf Jethva is thankful to UGC – MANF, New Delhi, for the award of Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority students [Award Letter No. MANF-2014-15-MUS-GUJ-33765].