Magnetoelectric Coupling, Ferroelectricity, and Magnetic Memory Effect in Double Perovskite La3Ni2NbO9

We observe ferroelectricity in an almost unexplored double perovskite La3Ni2NbO9. Ferroelectricity appears below ∼60 K, which is found to be correlated with the significant magnetostriction. A reasonably large value of spontaneous electric polarization is recorded to be ∼260 μC/m(2) at 10 K for E = 5 kV/cm, which decreases signifi- cantly upon application of a magnetic field (H), suggesting considerable magnetoelectric coupling. The dielectric permittivity is also influenced by H below the ferroelectric transition. The magnetodielectric response scales linearly to the squared magnetization, as described by the Ginzburg-Landau theory. Meticulous studies of static and dynamic features of dc magnetization and frequency dependent ac susceptibility results suggest spin-glass state below 29 K. Intrinsic magnetic memory effect is observed from zero-field cooled magnetization and isothermal remanent magnetization studies, also pointing spin-glass state below 29 K. Appearance of ferroelectricity together with a significant magnetoelectric coupling in absence of conventional long-range magnetic order is promising for searching new magnetoelectric materials.