Modification in structural, dielectric and magnetic properties of La and Nd co-substituted epitaxial BiFeO3 thin films

TL;DR

This study investigates how co-doping BiFeO3 thin films with La and Nd alters their structural, dielectric, and magnetic properties, showing enhanced magnetization and improved dielectric behavior.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the effects of La and Nd co-substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of BiFeO3 thin films using pulsed laser deposition.

Findings

Structural change from rhombohedral to monoclinic phase

Enhanced saturation magnetization (~20 emu/cm3)

Improved dielectric and magnetic properties in doped films

Abstract

The influence of La and Nd co-substitution on the structural and magnetic properties of BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films was examined. Epitaxial thin films of pure and, La and Nd co-doped BFO on the SrRuO3 buffered single crystal SrTiO3 (001) substrate were deposited using pulsed laser deposition. The structural change in co doped La and Nd BFO thin films which was caused by the changes of force constant in the crystal lattice induced by ionic radii mismatch was investigated. Raman spectroscopy studies manifest the structural change in doped BFO films from rhombohedral to monoclinic distorted phase which is induced by the co substitution of La and Nd. Room temperature magnetic hysteresis curves indicated that saturation magnetization is enhanced in the doped film with saturation magnetization of ~20 emu/cm3. The dielectric and magnetic properties are effectively improved in BLNFO films compared to pure BFO thin films.