Spin reorientation behavior and enhanced multiferroic properties of co-doped YFeO3 towards a monophasic multiferroic ceramic Co0.05Y0.95Fe0.95Ti0.05O3

[Display omitted] •Samples of YFeO3 and Co0.05Y0.95Fe0.95Ti0.05O3 are synthesized in sol-gel method.•Rietveld analysis is made and neutron diffraction claims spin change from Γ4 to Γ2.•Magnetism is enhanced due to modification of canting angle, exchange field, etc.•Frequency dependent dielectric behaviour is successfully explained by UDR model.•Magneto-electric coupling values established multiferroicity of synthesized samples. Monophasic nanocrystalline lead-free relaxor ferroelectric samples of YFeO3 and Co0.05Y0.95Fe0.95Ti0.05O3 were prepared via the standard sol-gel synthesis method. The influence of Co and Ti co-doping on the structural, dielectric, ferroelectric, and magnetic properties were investigated using X-ray, Neutron Diffraction, Electric Polarisation, and magnetization measurement techniques. The structural analysis by the Rietveld method revealed an orthorhombic (Pnma) distorted perovskite structure. The analysis of the neutron diffraction data showed a spin reorientation from IR Γ4 to Γ2 in the doped sample. The universal dielectric response (UDR) phenomenon was used to explain the dielectric behavior. The temperature-dependent dielectric constant measurement shows a shift in the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase in Co0.05Y0.95Fe0.95Ti0.05O3. The observed P-E loops indicate lossy ferroelectric nature for YFO and CYFTO. Enhancement in the value of saturation magnetization at room temperature was observed on co-doping. Furthermore, the presence of magnetodielectric coupling was established for the co-doped sample. Co-doping with Co and Ti in YFeO3 enhanced the multiferroic properties of the pristine sample which may be helpful for future device applicability.