Magnetoelectric properties of multiferroic composites (1−x)ErMnO3–xY3Fe5O12 at room temperature

• (1−x)ErMnO3–xY3Fe5O12 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1) composites show room temperature ME coupling.
• Magnetic properties of the samples measured as a function of YIG concentration show soft magnetic behavior.
• Strong ME coupling is demonstrated in the composite 0.5RMnO3–0.5YIG.
• Phonon transport through these composites is effectively suppressed with YIG concentration.

We report multiferroic behavior of the composites (1−x)ErMnO3–xY3Fe5O12 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1) with spin–charge coupling at room temperature. These composites have been synthesized by sol–gel technique followed by solid-state reaction. Crystalline phases and microstructures of the composites are examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) techniques. The XRD results indicate that the composites consist of both hexagonal ErMnO3 and cubic Y3Fe5O12 (YIG) phases. Dielectric constant decreases with increase in YIG concentration. Magnetic properties of the composite samples measured as a function of YIG concentration show soft magnetic behavior, with magnetization increasing with increasing YIG content. Strong magnetoelectric (ME) coupling is demonstrated in the composite 0.5ErMnO3–0.5YIG by a dynamic lock-in amplifier set up. Thermal measurements using photopyroelectric technique indicate that thermal conductivity decreases with increase in YIG content or phonon transport through these composites is effectively suppressed with YIG concentration. These results provide data and criteria for the design and fabrication of potential devices based on this room temperature multiferroic material.