On some properties of PZT-NZF composite films manufactured by hybrid synthesis route

Composite magnetoelectric films using ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and ferromagnetic nickel zinc ferrite (NZF) were prepared using the combination of sol-gel and hydrothermal process on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates. The thickness was estimated ∼2 μm using cross-sectional SEM. Structure, morphology and electro-magnetic characterization were assessed using XRD, XPS, SEM, dielectric, leakage current, ferroelectric, and magnetic property analyze. The composite films exhibit coexistence of ferroelectric and ferromagnetic ordering at room temperature with a remnant polarization (Pr), and coercive field (Ec) of 1.2 μC/cm2 and 7.8 kV/cm, respectively, and saturation magnetization (Ms) ∼20 emu/cm3. Polarization improved ∼5.2% upon poling the composite film using a magnetic field of 1 T.