In situ preparation of CoFe2O4–Pb(ZrTi)O3 multiferroic composites by gel-combustion technique

Diphase magnetoelectric composites of CoFe2O4–Pb(ZrTi)O3 were prepared by citrate–nitrate combustion technique by using Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 template powders obtained by the mixed oxide method. Pure diphase powder composites with a good crystallinity were obtained after calcination. The composition and purity were maintained after sintering at temperature of 1100 °C/2 h, which ensured limited reactions at interfaces, while by sintering at 1250 °C/2 h, some small amounts of secondary phases identified as nonstoichiometric ZrO2−x resulted. The method allowed to produce diphase ceramics with homogeneous microstructures and a very good mixing of the two phases. The dielectric and magnetic investigation at room temperature confirmed the formation of composite ceramics with both dielectric and magnetic properties at room temperature, with permittivity and magnetization resulted as sum properties from the parent Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 and ferrite phases.