Role of Ho Doping in Magnetization Mechanism of BiFeO₃ Thin Films

BiFeO₃ (BFO) as one of the considerable interesting multiferroic materials has been widely investigated for its fantastic science and potential application. Herein, effects of Ho doping on the structure, morphology, and magnetic properties of BFO thin films were systematically studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicates a successful substitution of Ho at Bi site and a transition in crystal structure of Bi_0.9Ho_0.1FeO₃ (BHFO) thin film. Raman scattering spectrum is further evidence of XRD analysis results. The Ho-doped BFO thin films possess uniform morphology. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms that the substitution of Bi³⁺ ions with Ho³⁺ ions is beneficial. The remanent magnetization of BHFO thin films is about three times than that of the BFO thin films under a maximum magnetic field of 15,000 Oe. And we systematically discussed several possible reasons for the enhancement of magnetization.