Structural, spectral and dielectric properties of piezoelectric–piezomagnetic composites

Abstract

Composite materials of spinel ferrite (SF) NiZnFe2O4 (NZF) and barium titanate (BT) BaTiO3 were prepared by double sintering ceramic technique. X-ray diffraction patterns for the composite system (1–x) NZF+x BT, showed the presence of mainly of 2 phases, hence confirming the successful preparation of the composite. Some structural and microstructural parameters like porosity, X-ray density, particle size and lattice constant were deduced from the analysis of X-ray data for both phases. Scan electron microscope (SEM) analysis shows nearly a homogeneous microstructure with good dispersion of BT grains as well as the presence of some pores. There was also an enlargement of BT grains with increasing its content. Infra red (IR) spectra of the composite system indicate that BT content affects the intermolecular character of the SF phase. A rise in the dielectric constant occurred at high temperature which was attributed to the effect of space change resulting from the increase of the change carriers in the paramagnetic region. The dielectric loss (tanδ) decreased by increasing BT content.