Structural, electric and magnetoelectric properties of Ni0.85Cu0.15Fe2O4/BiFe0.7Mn0.3O3 multiferroic nanocomposites

• Magnetoelectric multiferroic nanocomposites were successfully prepared.
• The ac conductivity increased with BFMO content.
• The composites could be used in magnetic field sensing probes and linear ME devices.

Spinel–perovskite nanocomposites [(1−y) (Ni0.85Cu0.15Fe2O4) + y (BiFe0.7Mn0.3O3)]; y = 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 70% were prepared by mixing the two separately single materials. X-ray diffraction measurements confirm the formation of both phases Ni0.85Cu0.15Fe2O4 (NCFO) and BiMn0.3Fe0.7O3 (BFMO). The magnetoelectric coefficient was measured as a function of applied dc magnetic field. Dielectric constant (ε′), loss tangent (tan δ) and ac conductivity (σ) were measured as a function of frequency with different temperatures. The ε′ and σ of Ni0.85Cu0.15Fe2O4 were improved by introducing BiMn0.3Fe0.7O3. Magnetoelectric nanocomposites may have possible applications in magnetic field sensing probes and linear ME devices. The electric hysteresis loops were obtained in ferrite/BFMO composite, but the loops were not really saturated.