Dielectric, multiferroic properties and resistance modulation of Ta-doped Bi0.97Ba0.03FeO3 ceramics

Single phase Bi0.97Ba0.03Fe1-xTaxO3 ceramics with x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 were synthesized by modified rapid sintering process method. The formation of rhombohedral perovskite-like structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction investigation for all the samples. Dielectric and leakage current measurements indicated that the content of the oxygen vacancy in the samples decreased as a function of the substitution of Ta5+ ions. A distinct threshold switching behavior was observed in the leakage current density. The impedance measurements suggested that the grain effect made a major contribution to the resistance. The changes in dielectric, multiferroic properties and resistance modulation of the Ta5+ and Ba2+ co-doped BiFeO3 ceramics could have a huge potential for material application.