The magnetoelectric coupling effect in multiferroic composites based on PZT–ferrite

Abstract

In the multiferroic materials, the dielectric and magnetic properties are closely correlated through the coupling interaction between the ferroelectric and magnetic order. We attempted to determine the values of magnetoelectric coupling coefficient , from the temperature dependences of the dielectric permittivity for the ferroelectric–ferromagnetic composite PZT–ferrite type, namely PSZTC–NiZn and PBZTN–NiZn. The main component of the ferroelectric–ferromagnetic composite was PZT type powder (with ferroelectric properties), which was synthesized using sintering of a mixture of simple oxides in solid phase. The second element of the ferroelectric–ferromagnetic composite was the ferrite powder (with ferromagnetic properties). Ferrite powder was synthesized using calcination. Next, the mixed components were synthesized using sintering of the mixture of simple oxides in a solid phase (compaction by a free sintering method). The temperature dependences of the dielectric permittivity ( ε ) for the different frequencies and for both multiferroic composites were investigated. Based on dielectric measurements and theoretical considerations, the values of the magnetoelectric coupling coefficient were specified. • The magnetoelectric effect at two different ferroelectric–ferromagnetic composites based on a PZT and nickel–zinc ferrite. • Multiferroics composite incorporate both ferroelectric and magnetic phases. • The mechanism of the magnetoelectric coupling between ferroelectric and magnetic properties, in multiferroic composites, is caused by the strain. • The determination of the magnetoelectric coupling coefficient based on a theoretical model and the measurements of dielectric permittivity.