Project R-1428

Multiferroics based on the Pb lone pair. (Research)

The goal of this project is to realize and fully characterize new multiferroics. The chosen materials are based on the prediction of multiferroic properties in perovskite based oxides with A-cations with a lone electron pair in combination with magnetic B-cations. The lone pair will provide the ferroelectric properties, while the magnetic B-cations take care of the magnetic properties. With Bi3+ as the ion with the lone pair, two examples exist of such types of materials: BiFeO3[1] and BiMnO3[2]. Up till now no examples exist of multiferroic matreials with Pb2+ as the cation providing the lone pair. In this project we want to realize the first multiferroics that are based on the Pb2+ lone pair.

01 January 2009 - 31 December 2012