Studies on magnetic, dielectric and magnetoelectric behavior of (x) NiFe1.9Mn0.1O4 and (1-x) BaZr0.08Ti0.92O3 magnetoelectric composites

In the present research work, the magnetoelectric (ME) composites of ferrite and ferroelectric phases with (x) NiFe1.9Mn0.1O4 and (1 - x) BaZr0.08Ti0.92O3 (where x = 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30) respectively were synthesized by the conventional ceramic method. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the composite reveals a spinel phase formation for the ferrite and perovskite phase formation for the ferroelectric phase without any other phase. The SEM micrographs of composites were taken to determine the average grain size and also to study the surface morphology. The effect of constituent phase variation on the B-H hysteresis behavior and the dielectric properties was examined. The dielectric constant shows usual dielectric dispersion behavior with increasing frequency which is due to the Maxwell-Wagner type surface interfacial polarization. From the ac conductivity study, it is confirmed that the conduction in the present composites is of small polaron type. The static magnetoelectric (ME) voltage coefficient developed on the surface of magnetoelectric material was measured as a function of applied dc magnetic field. The maximum ME conversion factor of 1.18 mV/cm Oe was observed for x = 0.10 composite. Such composites may be useful to fabricate the magnetic field sensors and applicable in many linear ME devices. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.