Correlation between structural deformation and magnetoelectric response in (1-x) Pb (Zr0.52 Ti0.48) O3 -xNi Fe1.9 Mn0.1 O4 particulate composites

Abstract

The ferroelectric, ferromagnetic, and magnetoelectric properties of (1-x) Pb (Zr0.52 Ti0.48) O3 -xNi Fe1.9 Mn0.1 O4 (PZT-NFM) ceramic composites were found to be dependent upon postsinter annealing and aging. It was found on annealing and aging that (i) the size and density of the NFM phase is reduced, (ii) the PZT lattice constants changed from (a=3.87 Å, c=4.07 Å) to (a=4.07 Å, c=4.09 Å), (iii) the ferroelectric and ferromagnetic Curie temperatures decreased by 8 and 33 °C, respectively, and (iv) the magnetoelectric coefficient increased by ∼50%. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.