Magnetoelectric coupling in terbium doped particulate multiferroic composites based on BaTiO3–CoFe2O4

Abstract

The present study attempts to enhance the coupling by rare-earth doping in particulate multiferroic composites of BaTiO3 and CoFe2O4. These composites were prepared by conventional solid-state route with the compositions (1-x) Ba0·99Tb0·02Ti0·99O3 – x Co0·94Tb0·06Fe2O4 (x = 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06). The decrease in cell volume of Co0·94Tb0·06Fe2O4 phase with the increase in Co0·94Tb0·06Fe2O4 phase results in the enhancement of strain, which in turn improves the coupling. The Tb3+ ion doping enhances the dielectric constant of composites and the Curie Weiss Law shows the diffused nature of ferroelectric phase transitions. The unification of two ferroic phases in composites has been confirmed by tracing the P-E and M − H hysteresis loops. The P-E loops are free from leakage currents and M − H loops are well saturated, confirming an ordered domain structure. The terbium doping results in high magnetoelectric coupling coefficients, so making these composites as potential candidates for magnetoelectric devices.