Multiferroic Properties of Lead-Free (1 − x)(K0.44Na0.52Li0.04)(Nb0.84Ta0.10Sb0.06)O3− xBi0.8Ba0.2FeO3 Ceramics Prepared via the Solid-State Combustion Technique

Abstract

(1 − x)[(K0.44Na0.52Li0.04)(Nb0.84Ta0.10Sb0.06)O3] − xBi0.8Ba0.2FeO3 [(1 − x)KNLNTS-xBBF] lead-free ceramics, with different x contents, were prepared by the solid-state combustion technique. The effect of Bi0.8Ba0.2FeO3 content on the phase formation, microstructure, and electric and magnetic properties of KNLNTS ceramics were investigated. The KNLNTS ceramic exhibited co-existing orthorhombic and tetragonal phases. When x increased, the samples demonstrated an increased tetragonal phase and unit cell volume. The average grain size, density and relative density deceased when x increased up to 0.06 and then continuously increased. For x = 0, a well-saturated P–E loop was found in which the Pr and Ec values were about 21.27 μC/cm2 and 12.38 kV/cm, respectively. However, x = 0.02–0.2 exhibited a round P–E loop because the leakage current was performed. For higher x, the leakage current of the samples decreased, suggesting that the samples exhibited slim P–E loops. The KNLNTS ceramic exhibited diamagnetic behavior while the x = 0.02–0.4 samples showed ferromagnetic behavior. At room temperature, multiferroic behavior, which exhibited fair ferroelectric and ferromagnetic hysteresis loops, was obtained from the samples with x = 0.3–0.4, which means these ceramics can be applied in multifunctional devices. The maximum magnetoelectric coupling (αE) was obtained from the KNLNTS-xBBF with x = 0.4. © 2023, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.