Mn3−xZnxTa2O8: Inducing multiferroelectricity in a linear magnetoelectric material

Zn for Mn substitution has been studied in the linear magnetoelectric Mn3Ta2O8. Although limited, the Zn substitution has a strong impact on the magnetic properties, inducing a spectacular, narrow, and high magnetic susceptibility peak at the antiferromagnetic transition temperature TN for Mn2.5Zn0.5Ta2O8. A concomitant change in the electric behavior is observed with a magnetodielectric effect below TN. Also, notably, in addition to the linear magnetoelectricity found at lower temperatures, a spontaneous polarization is induced over a limited temperature range below TN. The sensitivity of the Mn3Ta2O8 magnetoelectric properties is interpreted as a result of a modification of Mn–O–Mn exchange interactions between the Mn2+ cations distributed over the three crystallographic sites of the tetragonal structure.