The effect of LaNiO3 thickness on the magnetoelectric response of Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 film-on-CoFe2O4 ceramic composites

Abstract

A magnetoelectric composite of Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 film-on-CoFe2O4 ceramic was prepared by spin-coating Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 films of 300 nm in thickness on the LaNiO3-buffered highly dense CoFe2O4 ceramics. The X-ray diffraction, ferroelectric loops, piezoelectric curves, and magnetoelectric coupling effects were all measured at room temperature to investigate the effect of LaNiO3 thickness on the magnetoelectric response of the composites. The introduction of the metallic oxide LaNiO3 efficiently enhanced the magnetoelectric coefficient α E by improving the electric-related outputs. However, too thick LaNiO3 layer would also hinder the strain (stress) transferring across the interface between the Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 and CoFe2O4 phases. A peak α E value was obtained in the sample with a LaNiO3 thickness of about 60 nm, which was 2.5 times larger than that in the composite of Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 film on the CoFe2O4 ceramic without the LaNiO3 layer. Further enhancement could be anticipated by optimizing the LaNiO3 layer and/or Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 films.