Synthesis and properties of PbTi$_{1-x}$Ni$_{x}$O$_{3}$.

Magnetoelectrics are a class of multiferroic materials with magnetic and ferroelectric properties in the same phase. These have been a subject of intense investigation due to their fascinating physical properties, and the potential for new devices. We examine here the question of whether the successful substitution of a magnetic ion into a traditional ferroelectric lattice can result in a new magnetoelectric phase. Using a sol gel technique employing metal-ion chelate complexes, we have synthesized phase pure nanoparticulate samples of PbTi$_{1-x}$Ni$_{x}$O$_{3}$ for 0$<$x$<$0.3. We report our studies of crystal structure refinement, magnetic and dielectric properties 0.3$<$T$<$300 Kelvin, microstructure studies using High Resolution TEM, optical properties and vibrational spectroscopy in this new system.