Enhanced ferromagnetic properties in Ho and Ni co-doped BiFeO3 ceramics

The magnetic properties of polycrystalline Bi1-xHoxFe1-yNiyO3 (x = 0, 0.1; y = 0, 0.03), which were prepared by the solid-state method, have been investigated. The powder X-ray diffraction reveals that all the samples are polycrystalline and show rhombohedral perovskite structure. The micro-Raman scattering studies confirm that Bi0.9Ho0.1Fe0.97Ni0.03O3 has a compressive lattice distortion induced by the simultaneous substitution of Ho and Ni ions at A and B-sites, respectively. From the magnetization dependences at room temperature, Bi0.9Ho0.1Fe0.97Ni0.03O3 has enhanced magnetization (0.2280 emu/g) and low coercive field (280 Oe). It was revealed that the Ni dopant plays an important role for the improved ferromagnetic properties and the Ho dopant favors the magnetic exchange interactions in the co-doped ceramic.