Correlation between multiferroic properties and processing parameters in NdFeO^sub 3^-PbTiO^sub 3^ solid solutions

Processing parameters play an important role in tailoring the physical and chemical properties of materials. Effect of sintering temperature on the multiferroic properties of (Nd0.2Pb0.8) (Fe0.2Ti0.8)O3 solid solutions synthesized using conventional solid state reaction route has been reported. XRD investigations show that the solid solutions possess tetragonal structure (P4mm). The samples exhibit both ferroelectric and magnetic hysteresis loops at room temperature. The remnant polarization (Pr) and saturation polarization (PS) increases with increasing sintering temperature. The remanent magnetization (Mr) as well as coercive field (Hc) both varies with sintering temperature. The magnetic studies reveal that samples exhibit a ferromagnetic order due to Fe3+ ions and Nd moments does not order down to lowest temperature. The variation of electrical polarization with magnetic field gives an evidence of magnetoelectric effect in the samples. Electronic structure and magnetic properties of the system are studied within density functional theory framework. A theoretical estimation of spontaneous polarization and magnetic parameters gives values consistent with experimental data.