Exploring current conduction dynamics in multiferroic BiFeO₃ thin films prepared via modified chemical solution...

The current study describes current conduction mechanisms in BiFeO₃ thin films prepared by using a modified chemical solution-based technique. In particular, in these films, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the defect causing Fe²⁺ ions reduced by about 18% compared to the solution-based synthesis methods reported before, indicating better film quality. The leakage current density was measured to be 1.7 × 10^-6 A/cm² at an applied voltage of 1.5 V, which is one order of magnitude less than the previously reported work in a similar system. Oxygen annealing was found to be effective in further reducing the current conduction, making these films a suitable choice for device applications. The current-voltage curves exhibited three different behaviours of current conduction mechanisms in these films. In particular, when the applied electric field was increased, a transition from Ohmic conduction to trap-filled space charge limited conduction was observed. The presented investigations demonstrate the importance of deposition methods in determining the suitability of thin films for device applications.