Crystal and magnetic structure of (1−x)BiFeO3–xSrTiO3 (x=0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.8)

• Published in: Journal of solid state chemistry 2013-11, Vol.207, p.111-116
• Main Authors: Goossens, D.J., Weekes, C.J., Avdeev, Maxim, Hutchison, W.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bismuth ferrite; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Exact sciences and technology; Magnetic structure; Neutron diffraction; Neutron diffraction and scattering; Physics; Single-crystal and powder diffraction; Strontium titanate; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Structure of specific crystalline solids
• ISSN: 0022-4596; 1095-726X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2013.09.024

The effect of doping SrTiO3 into BiFeO3 on the magnetic and crystal structure has been explored using powder neutron diffraction for (1−x)BiFeO3–xSrTiO3 where x=0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8. While the data are not sensitive to the cycloidal component of the magnetic ordering, the evolution of the collinear antiferromagnetic moment of the G-type antiferromagnetic component with T and x has been explored, as have structural parameters. It is found that for x≤0.4 pure phase samples form in the R3c cell, and for x=0.8 a non-magnetic Pm3¯m phase is obtained. The x=0.6 sample gives a mixed phase. Through the R3c phase the magnetic structure does not change appreciably apart from the reduction of magnetic moment magnitude with the increasing T and/or x. A simple phase diagram for (1−x)BiFeO3–xSrTiO3 , where hexagons indicate the rhombohedral R3c phase and boxes the cubic phase. Filled symbols indicate magnetic ordering. The black arrow indicates TN for BiFeO3. [Display omitted] •We have established part of the phase diagram for doping SrTiO3 into BiFeO3.•(1−x)BiFeO3–xSrTiO3 is isostructural with BiFeO3 up to x0.85.•We have examined the evolution of ordered magnetic moment with T and x.