Tuning the properties of Yb-Doped BiFeO3: insights into structural, electrical, magnetoelectric and photocatalytic behavior

The manipulation of electric properties by the magnetic field in magnetoelectric multiferroic materials has fuelled enormous research activity, to realise their potential for magnetoelectric devices. So, this report investigates the influence of ytterbium (Yb³⁺) substitution on the structural, magnetic, and magnetoelectric properties of hydrothermally synthesised bismuth ferrite Bi_1-xYb_xFeO₃ (x = 0.00, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30). Yb³⁺ doping successfully lowers the average grain size, while preserving a distorted rhombohedral structure, within the R3c space group. Notably, Yb-doped bismuth ferrite exhibits enhanced ferromagnetic behaviour, with the Bi_0.7Yb_0.3FeO₃ composition achieving a significant magnetization of 0.337 emu/g. Moreover, the addition of Yb³⁺ causes significant changes in electric polarisation, which significantly impacts the multiferroic properties. A high magnetoelectric coupling coefficient (15.049 mVcm⁻¹Oe⁻¹) for Bi_0.7Yb_0.3FeO₃, highlights its promise for applications in multifunctional devices, where the interplay between magnetic and electric order parameters is critical for advanced technological innovations. The photoluminescence analysis demonstrates a decline in intensity with increasing Yb³⁺ doping, suggesting a lower electron–hole recombination rate. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was assessed for methylene blue degradation under visible light exposure, with the 30% doped sample exhibiting the highest efficiency. These results indicate the potential of Yb-doped BiFeO₃ nanoparticles for wastewater treatment applications.