Influence of Sb3+ Cations on the Structural, Magnetic and Electrical Properties of AlFeO3 Multiferroic Perovskite with Humidity Sensors Applicative Characteristics

Iulian Petrila; Florin Tudorache

doi:10.3390/ma15238369

Influence of Sb³⁺ Cations on the Structural, Magnetic and Electrical Properties of AlFeO₃ Multiferroic Perovskite with Humidity Sensors Applicative Characteristics

Materials (Basel). 2022 Nov 24;15(23):8369. doi: 10.3390/ma15238369.

Authors

Iulian Petrila¹, Florin Tudorache²

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Automatic Control and Computer Engineering, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, Str. Dimitrie Mangeron, no. 27, 700050 Iasi, Romania.
² Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Exact and Natural Sciences, Ramtech Center, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Boulevard Carol I, no. 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania.

Abstract

The effects of Sb³⁺ cations substitution on the structural, magnetic and electrical properties of Al_1-xSb_xFeO₃ multiferroic perovskite are investigated. The partial or total substitution of Al³⁺ cations with Sb³⁺ cations, in stoichiometric composition Al_1-xSb_xFeO₃ (x = 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.00) were made in order to identify composite materials with sensors applicative properties. Multiferroic perovskite samples were prepared following technology of the ceramic solid-state method, and the thermal treatments were performed in air atmosphere at 1100 °C temperature. The X-ray diffraction studies have confirmed the phase composition of samples and scanning electron microscopy the shape of the crystallites has been evidenced. The perovskite material was subjected to representative magnetic investigations in order to highlight substitutions characteristics. Investigations on electrical properties have evidenced the substitution dependence of relative permittivity and electrical resistivity under humidity influence and the characteristics of humidity sensors based on this material. The results are discussed in term of microstructural changes induced by the substitutions degree and its sensor applicative effects.

Keywords: electrical properties; humidity sensor; magnetic properties; perovskites.

Grants and funding

Authors are thankful to Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitization, within Program 1–Development of the national RD system, Subprogram 1.2–Institutional Performance–RDI excellence funding projects, Contract no. 11PFE/30.12.2021, for financial support.