Synergetic enhancement of electric polarization and magnetization in Fe-doped Pb(Zr_0.52 Ti_0.48) O₃ modulated with "magnetoelectric composite" defect-dipoles

Multiferroics have many novel applications such as multifunctional photo-magneto-electric sensors and ultra-low power consumption storage. However, it is still a challenge to couple magnetic order and ferroelectric order for all-in-one materials that are highly piezoelectric multiferroics. In this work, room temperature multiferroicity as well as piezoelectricity were realized in Fe-doped Pb(Ti_0.48(1_-x)Fe_0.48xZr_0.52)O₃ (x=0.05-0.5). An increase in the remnant magnetization (from 0 to 44.5 memu/g) is accompanied by an increase in d₃₃ (from 17 to 65 pC/N) which is achieved with an optimal doping level. In addition, broad UV-Vis-NIR light absorption was achieved (200-2500 nm). The coupling of intrinsic ferroelectric polarization with defect dipoles formed by Fe and oxygen vacancy should be mainly responsible for the magnetization enhancement at appropriate Fe concentration. The defect energy levels induced by defect dipole contribute to a broad UV-Vis-NIR light absorption. This material has the potential for multifunctional photo-magneto-electric sensors and storage technology.