Exchange bias effect, ferroelectric property, primary bonding and charge density analysis of La1-xCexFeO3 multiferroics

Abstract Cerium substituted La1-xCexFeO3 (x = 0.00, 0.03, 0.06, 0.09 and 0.12) were synthesized using solid-state reaction method. The effects of Ce-substitution on the lattice of LaFeO3 were investigated through the charge density distribution. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, UV–vis spectrometry, vibrating sample magnetometry, dielectric and ferroelectric measurements. The XRD patterns confirm the orthorhombic phase formation of La1-xCexFeO3. The average particle size and the energy band gap were determined using SEM images and UV–vis spectra respectively. Interestingly, the exchange bias effect is observed in the M–H curves recorded at the room temperature. Dielectric measurements show that the substitution of Ce in LaFeO3 decreases its dielectric behavior drastically. Ferroelectric measurements confirm the presence of ferroelectric ordering in the samples. In this work, the optical, magnetic, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties of La1-xCexFeO3 have been examined through charge density analysis which has not yet been explored in the literature.