Interplay of multiple structural phase and magnetic response of Bi1-xPrxFeO3 ceramics

The detailed structural phase transition induced by chemical substitution in Bi1-xPrxFeO3 (x = 0.1–0.2) polycrystalline ceramics is reported herein. Pr3+ substitution is observed to destabilize the polar R3c symmetry due to the chemical strain effect caused by the large ionic radius mismatch at the Bi-site. The R3c rhombohedral phase can only be stabilized up to 14 mol% of Pr doping (x < 0.14); the phase transition starts to appear at a higher Pr concentration (x ≥ 0.14), forming a morphotropic phase boundary between the R3c rhombohedral and Pbam orthorhombic phases. Increasing Pr concentration causes the magnetic transition from a pure antiferromagnetic to a weak ferromagnetic state as a result of the evolution of crystal structure. The influence of PB spins on the magnetic properties of Bi1-xPrxFeO3 compounds has been uncovered through manipulation of the mixed phase state by an electric field, temperature, and structural relaxation.