Structural and functional analysis of Eu3+-doped Sr2FeTiO6 perovskites: insights into electrical and magnetic characteristics

This study presents a detailed investigation into the synthesis and characterization of Europium (Eu)-doped Sr₂FeTiO₆ [Sr_2−xEu_xFeTiO₆ (x = 0, 0.5)] double perovskite compounds, aimed at enhancing the understanding of their structural, optical, magnetic, and dielectric properties. Using high-temperature solid-state reactions, single-phase compounds were successfully synthesized, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement, revealing a stable cubic crystal structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) verified the oxidation states of the constituent elements, while optical studies demonstrated a significant reduction in the energy band gap from 2.92 to 2.26 eV with Eu doping. Magnetically, the undoped Sr₂FeTiO₆ compound exhibited weak ferromagnetism with canted spins and pronounced magnetic anisotropy. In contrast, Eu doping induced a transition to antiferromagnetic-like behavior, with a notable decrease in magnetization, coercivity, and anisotropy. The dielectric properties were also enhanced with increasing Eu content, as evidenced by the progressive increase in dielectric constant. The novelty of this research lies in the comprehensive exploration of the Eu-doped Sr₂FeTiO₆ system, demonstrating the tunability of its magnetic and electronic properties through rare-earth doping. These findings highlight the potential of Sr_2–xEu_xFeTiO₆ compounds for advanced applications in electronic, magneto-optical, and optoelectronic devices, contributing significantly to the field of functional perovskite materials.