Ferroelectric and Magnetic Properties of PrFeO₃–PbTiO₃and PrFeO₃–BiFeO₃–PbTiO₃Thin Films

Abstract

Thin film materials of new solid solution systems have been explored for attaining ferroelectromagnetic property by combining antiferromagnetic and ferroelectric end members such as BiFeO3, PrFeO3, and PbTiO3. Thin films of the 0.35PrFeO3–0.65PbTiO3 and the 0.2PrFeO3–0.2BiFeO3–0.6PbTiO3 doped by x mol% Ta2O5 (x=0, 0.75 and 1.5) have been prepared by spinning on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrate and annealing at 550°C for 30 min. Crystal structures, microstructures, P–E hysteresis curves and M–H hysteresis curves were characterized. The 0.35PrFeO3–0.65PbTiO3 and the 0.2PrFeO3–0.2BiFeO3–0.6PbTiO3 thin films showed weak ferromagnetism. The Ta2O5-doping improved ferroelectromagnetic property. The 0.2PrFeO3–0.2BiFeO3–0.6PbTiO3 thin film doped by 1.5 mol% Ta2O5 showed ferroelectromagnetic properties, spontaneous magnetization (Ms) of 0.1 emu/g and the remanent polarization (Pr) of 1.67 µC/cm2.