Multiferroic and Magnetodielectric Effects in Multiferroic Pr₂FeAlO₆ Double Perovskite

Single-phase multiferroics that allow the coexistence of ferroelectric and magnetic ordering above room temperature are highly desirable, and offer a fundamental platform for novel functionality. In this work, a double perovskite multiferroic Pr2FeAlO6 ceramic is prepared using a sol-gel process followed by a quenching treatment. The well-crystallized and purified Pr2FeAlO6 in trigonal structure with space group R3c is confirmed. A combination of the ferroelectric (2P(r) = 0.84 mu C/cm(2), E-c = 7.78 kV/cm at an applied electric field of 20 kV/cm) and magnetic (2M(r) = 433 memu/g, H-c = 3.3 kOe at an applied magnetic field of 1.0 T) hysteresis loops reveals the room-temperature multiferroic properties. Further, the magnetoelectric effect is observed from the measurements of magnetically induced dielectric response and polarization. The present results suggest a new complex oxide candidate for room-temperature multiferroic applications.