Substitution driven enhancement of ferromagnetic, ferroelectric and leakage properties in multiferroic 0.7Bi1−xErxFeO3-0.3Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 solid solutions

A series of Er-substituted 0.7Bi 1− x Er x FeO 3 -0.3Bi 0.5 Na 0.5 TiO 3 solid solution samples are prepared by the sol–gel auto-combustion method. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of Er-substitution on the structural, magnetic, ferroelectric, and leakage properties in the samples. Structural analysis reveals that formation of the samples changes from rhombohedral phase to tetragonal one with increasing x , showing a simultaneous appearance of the two phases near x ~ 0.025. The room temperature ferromagnetism can be significantly improved by the substitution of Bi with Er simultaneously. The x ~ 0.05 sample shows the most significant improvements in ferroelectric response with a modest ferroelectric polarization, highest activation energy, and the lowest leakage current. These results demonstrate that the substitution of Bi with a small amount of Er is beneficial for the simultaneous improvements of ferromagnetic, ferroelectric, and leakage properties in 0.7Bi 1− x Er x FeO 3 -0.3Bi 0.5 Na 0.5 TiO 3 solid solution. Highlights Simultaneous appearance of the R3c and P4bm phases near x ~ 0.025. Moderate value of M r ~ 0.113 emu g −1 . Leakage current substantially decreased by Er-substitution.