Growth of trivalent ions (La3+ and Nd3+) doped Bi4Ti3O12 (BIT) single crystal by self-flux method using excess Bi2O3 as flux is reported. The effects of trivalent ions on the structural, thermal, optical and ferroelectric properties of BIT crystal were investigated. The results of X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis, respectively, indicate that the lattice distortion, liquidus/crystallization temperatures of BIT considerably increase with La and Nd concentrations. Substitution of La in Bi3+ shifts the lower absorption edge towards the ultraviolet region (similar to 20-25 nm), while no shift is observed for the BIT:Nd crystal. Regardless of the dopants, the optical microscopy patterns of the crystal surfaces reveal the existence of 90 degrees domains. Dielectric measurements indicate that BIT:Nd crystals exhibit no significant variation in Curie temperature (T-C) of BIT. Substitution of La and Nd in BIT increase both the remnant polarization (P-r) and coercive field (E-c) of BIT crystals. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.