Multiferroic properties and exchange bias in Bi_1-xSr_xFeO₃ (x=0-0.6) ceramics

Multiferroic properties and exchange bias (EB) in Bi_1-xSr_xFeO₃ (x=0-0.6) ceramics synthesized by a modified Pechini method are investigated. Sr concentration dependence of structure distorting, ferroelectric properties, and dielectric properties were studied at room temperature. Appropriate Sr doping (x=0.05-0.2) has been found to decrease the conductivity, enhance ferroelectric properties and give rise to high dielectric constant. Compared with antiferromagnetic BiFeO₃ compound, BSFO-x (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.4) ceramics show weak ferromagnetism at room temperature, and their exchange bias field and vertical magnetization shift are observed and exhibit a strong dependence on the content of Sr. This observed EB effect which keeps stable in BSFO ceramics at 10 K tend to vanish at room temperature with Sr concentration over 0.4.