Effect of samarium doping on the structural, optical and magnetic properties of sol–gel processed BiFeO 3 thin films

The influence of samarium (Sm) doping on the crystal structure, topographical and magnetic properties of BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films was investigated. BFO-based films of pure and Sm:BFO [Bi1−xSmxFeO3 (x = 0.00, 0.05 and 0.1): Sm:BFO] at various compositions were deposited on the glass substrates by spin coating method. Crystallization of Sm:BFO was obtained by calcinations of the film and thus single phase nature was obtained. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) carried out on the Sm:BFO films calcinated at 500 °C reveals the single phase formation of Sm:BFO films in rhombohedral system which belongs to R3c space group. The presence of samarium was confirmed through EDAX spectrum and thus its increase in concentration is reflected as the doublet peak in the XRD which shows a trend to coalescence to form a broad single peak. The structural analysis and the influence of samarium which is reflected in the optical and vibrational analyses are discussed in detail. The room temperature magnetic hysteresis loops were found to be unsaturated and a relative increase in the magnetic moment with the substitution of Sm concentration was significantly observed.