Impact of co-doping with Mn and Co/Mn on the structural, microstructural, dielectric, impedance, and magnetic characteristics of multiferroic bismuth ferrite nanoparticles.

Bismuth ferrite with manganese doping (BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 or BFMO) and bismuth ferrite with cobalt and manganese doping (Bi0.95Co0.05Fe0.95Mn0.05O3 or BCoFMO) were both synthesized as nanocrystalline powders by the sol–gel autocombustion technique. X-ray diffraction examination of the powders indicates a rhombohedral distortion in the perovskite phase in both samples. The calcined powders were examined for their microstructure and elemental composition with high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the microstructures of sintered BMFO and BCoFMO specimens at room temperature. Dielectric characteristics were studied at various frequencies and temperatures and found to follow space charge polarization. At ambient temperature, a vibrating sample magnetometer was used to analyse the materials' magnetic behaviour (M–H loops). Saturation magnetization is significantly increased with increased coercivity in the BCoFMO sample compared to the other sample. Improved structural, dielectric, and magnetic values in these doped systems, however, suggest they'd be an excellent fit for spintronic, multifunctional memories, sensors, and actuators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]