Anomalous ferroelectric and magnetic behavior in BPFO-NZFO multiferroic nano-composites

Multiferroic nano-composites (1-x) Bi.9Pr.1FeO3 (BPFO) -x Ni.5Zn.5Fe2O4 (NZFO) for x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 1.0 were synthesized by sol-gel auto-combustion method. Detailed investigations were made on the structural, morphological, ferroelectric, magnetic and dielectric properties of these nano-composites. The X-ray Diffraction pattern confirms the co-existence of perovskite BPFO and spinel NZFO phases without any impurity. The average particle size of as prepared BPFO and NZFO nanoparticles is nearly equal to 110 nm and 35 nm respectively which have been confirmed by the XRD and Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis. Structural and surface morphology are studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The dielectric properties of the composites are also studied at room temperature. The magnetic hysteresis loop has been studied to know the magnetic response of samples to the applied magnetic field of ± 1 T at room temperature. The saturation and remnant magnetization are found to increase with increase in NZFO weight percentage in the composite. The saturation magnetization values are 8.57 emu/g, 16.71 emu/g, 24.41 emu/g and remnant magnetization values are 0.78 emu/g, 1.23 emu/g, 1.58 emu/g for BPFO-NZFO 1, 2, 3 composite samples respectively. An anomalous ferroelectric behavior of BPFO-NZFO 1 composite sample was observed which can be understand with the help of observed results in dielectric and morphology of the samples. The incorporation of BPFO and NZFO enhances the multiferroic properties in the present composite materials which are quite promising from application point of view.