BiFeO3-based multiferroic materials and their properties

Multiferroic, specially, magnetoelectric materials exhibit ferromagnetic (or antiferromagnetic) and ferroelectric properties simultaneously and have attracted much attention to the researchers because of their widespread applications in various fields. In this regard, BiFeO3 (BFO) is the only multiferroic material, which shows both strong ferroelectric and magnetic properties at room temperature. In this chapter, we summerize the basics of multiferroics, types of multiferroics, coupling in multiferroics, and single-phase multiferroic materials. Furthermore, we discuss the structural, ferroelectric, magnetic, dielectric, and optical properties of BFO. The potential of BFO in future applications is also described and also the drawbacks that still remain in BFO are highlighted for further improvement.