Effect of Fe3+ doping on the ferrielectric and magnetic properties of KNbO3 ceramics

Abstract KNb1-xFexO3(x = 0–0.2) ceramics are prepared by the self-sacrificing method. The effects of Fe ion doping on the ferroelectricity, and magnetic properties of KNbO3 are studied. XRD analysis shows that all samples belong to the single-phase orthorhombic system with the space group of Amm2. The XPS test proves that Fe ions exist in the form of +2 and + 3 valence in KNbO3 sample, and the ratio of Fe2+/Fe3+ in the sample is calculated. SEM shows that Fe ions doping has a significant regulating effect on the microscopic morphology and grain size of KNbO3 sample. Fe ions partially replace Nb5+ in the B site of KNbO3 crystals, three kinds of defect dipoles of [ Fe Nb ` ` − V O · · ] * , [ V O · · − Fe Nb ` ` ` − V O · · ] · and polarity [ Fe Nb ` ` ` − V O · · ] · are formed. The polarization of the defect dipole is one of the main factors that enhance the ferroelectricity of KNbO3 crystal. The interaction between Fe3+/Fe2+ and adjacent V O · · to form Fe2+/3+- V O · · bound magnetic polarons is considered to be the main source of paramagnetism for KNb1-xFexO3(x = 0–0.2) samples. when x ≤ 0.1, Fe ions mainly exist in KNO sample in the form of Fe2+/3+- V O · · bound magnetic polaron, x > 0.1, it mainly exists in the ceramic in the form of Fe–O–Fe super-exchange. M value of KNb1-xFexO3 (x = 0.05–0.2) samples has a linear relationship with the increase of temperatures (T) when T ≥ 100K, indicating that samples exhibits paramagnetism. The magnetic properties at different doping concentrations and different temperatures may be isolated Fe3+, Fe2+, Fe2+/3+- V O · · , Fe3+-O2--Fe3+ and Fe2+-O2--Fe3+ is the result of the combined effect.