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Acentric and non-polar Pb₂MnO₄ was predicted to exhibit unique multipiezo induced magnetoelectric (ME) phenomena [1]. Here, we present the results of measurements from magnetization as well as the dielectric, as a function of temperature (T), magnetic field (H), pressure (P), and electric field (E) primarily to address the ME coupling and identify the underlying mechanism behind this phenomenon. Magnetization measurements reveal the antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering of Mn⁴⁺ spins at T_N = 17 K. For T_N 17 K, a robustly multiple partial spin-flip transitions were also observed. The existence of ME coupling is supported by the observed dielectric anomaly near T_N. The lattice dielectric response is strongly influenced by spin-flip transitions that trigger the pronounced ME coupling below the T_N. The magnetic-field-induced ME phenomenon in Pb₂MnO₄ has been ascribed to the strong coupling of lattice polarization with the magnetic interactions and thereby offers a route to attain novel ME materials.

[1] S.A.J. Kimber, J.P. Attfield, Magnetic order in acentric Pb₂MnO₄, J. Mater. Chem., 17 (2007) 4885-4888