An ethylene glycol-based new sol-gel route to multiferroic (1–x)LaCrO3–xBiCrO3 solid solution

Solid solution of multiferroic (1–x)LaCrO3–xBiCrO3 has been synthesized in the perovskite structure via a new sol-gel route using ethylene glycol as solvent. This synthetic process proved to be superior to the solid state reaction method, with a lower formation temperature, improved reactivity, and a higher solubility limit. The complex chemical reactions taking place in the sol and precursor powder upon heating are investigated by simultaneous thermal gravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA). The substitution of BiCrO3 for LaCrO3 results in a higher density for the ceramics and an increased electric conductivity at high temperatures. The sol-gel synthesized La1−xBixCrO3 solid solution (x = 0.3) exhibits a superparaelectric behaviour with a slim and nonlinear polarization – electric field hysteresis loop, whereas a double hysteresis loop of antiferroelectric appearance is displayed in the compound with x = 0.4.