Synthesis and magnetoelectric properties of y (Ni0.3Cu0.4Zn0.3Fe2O4) + (1 − y) [50% BaTiO3 + 50% PZT] ME composites

A ME composites system with the general formula y (Ni0.3Cu0.4Zn0.3Fe2O4) + (1 − y) [50% BaTiO3 + 50% PZT] (y = 0.15, 0.30 and 0.45) was prepared by ceramic method. The cubic spinel structure of the ferrite phase and tetragonal pervoskites structure of the ferroelectric phase was confirmed by XRD. SEM micrographs reveal compatibility of ferrite grains with ferroelectric grains. The variation of dielectric constant (ɛ′) and loss tangent (tan δ) with frequency in the range of 20 Hz to 1 MHz was studied. The dielectric constant shows dispersion in the lower frequency region, with almost a constant value at higher frequencies. The variation of dielectric constant with temperature is studied at four different frequencies, viz. 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz and 1 MHz. The diffuse phase transition is observed for the composites. There is decrease in transition temperature (Tc) as the ferrites content increases. The magnetoelectric effect (dE/dH)H was measured as a function of intensity of dc magnetic field. The maximum value of ME coefficient was observed to be 692.3 μV Oe−1 cm−1 for the composition 15% (Ni0.3Cu0.4Zn0.3Fe2O4) + 85% [50% BaTiO3 + 50% PZT].