Magnetic and ferroelectric properties of Zn and Mn co-doped BaTiO₃

This paper reports an approach to obtaining multiferroic properties in co-doped (Zn:Mn) BaTiO₃ near room temperature. Interestingly, an unusual magnetic hysteresis loop is observed in the co-doped compositions in which the central portion of the loop is squeezed. However, in the composition Ba_0.9Zn_0.1Ti_0.9Mn_0.1O₃, a broad magnetic hysteresis loop is observed. Such a magnetic effect is attributed to the coexistence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic exchange interactions in the system. The observation of the above type of magnetic properties is likely to be due to the presence of exchange interactions between Mn ions. A lossy-type of ferroelectric hysteresis loop is also observed in co-doped ceramic compositions near room temperature.