Substitution of La and Fe with Dy and Mn in multiferroic La1−xDyxFe1−yMnyO3 nanocrystallites

Nanosized particles of La1−xDyxFe1−yMnyO3 were prepared by normal micro-emulsion method involving simultaneous double ions substitution. The particles diameter was found in the range of 11–60 nm as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The saturation magnetization (Ms) was improved from 4.62×103 Am−1 to 7.38×103 Am−1, the retentivity (Mr) was increased from 692 Am−1 to 3737.75 Am−1 while the coercivity was decreased from 4.42×103 Oe to 3.35×103 Oe as determined by hysteresis loops measurement. The maximum Ms and Mr values were exhibited by La0.25Dy0.75Fe0.25 Mn0.75O3. The electrical resistivity of La1−xDyxFe1−yMnyO3 was increased from 1.65×108 Ω cm (La1.0Dy0.0Fe1.0 Mn0O3) to 18.79×108 Ω cm (La0.5Dy0.5Fe0.5Mn0.5O3). The significant improvement in dielectric properties of La1−xDyxFe1−yMnyO3 was also observed and maximum dielectric properties (dielectric constant, dielectric loss and dielectric loss factor) were exhibited by La0.5Dy0.5Fe0.5Mn0.5O3, which is compatible with the electrical properties. - Highlights: ► Enhanced magnetic and electrical properties of substituted LaFeO3 multiferroic are explored. ► Single step simultaneous double ion substitutions method is introduced for LaFeO3. ► La1−xDyxFe1−yMnyO3 nanoparticles with variable compositions of x and y are synthesized. ► About 5 fold increase in Mr and 60% increase in Ms make these materials attractive for various technological applications. ► 11 fold increase in resistivity of La1−xDyxFe1−yMnyO3 (for, x, y=1.0) nanostructures is good for microwave plan application.