Particle-size-dependence of magnetoelectric coupling in nano BiFeO3

This work describes the observations made on particle size dependence of magnetoelectric multiferroic coupling in nanoscale multiferroic BiFeO3 system. By using x-ray and neutron diffraction experiments, the ferroelectric and multiferroic properties have been investigated. It is found that they follow a non-monotonic pattern of variation with particle size in the 20-200 nm range. This non-monotonicity appears to be resulting from competition between lattice microstrain and compressive pressure effect observed in these nanosized particles. The implication of this result could be profound for designing nano-spintronic devices using nanoscale BiFeO3.