Magnetic field induced ferroelectric and dielectric properties in Pb(Zr0.5Ti0.5)O3 films containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles

About 1.05 mu m-thick Pb(Zr0.5Ti0.5)O-3 (Pit) films containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles were deposited on LaNiO3-coated silicon substrates through a sol-gel technique. Fe3O4 nanoparticles were effectively dispersed into Pit solution under the involvement of polyvinylpyrrolidone. X-ray diffraction confirmed the coexistence of Pit and Fe3O4 phases without other impurity phases. Scanning electron microscope revealed that the thick composite films possess well-defined and crack-free microstructure. The composite films exhibit good ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties at room temperature. An obvious magnetodielectric effect has been demonstrated in the Pb(Zr0.5Ti0.5)O-3/Fe3O4 composite films. Magnetic field induced change in ferroelectric polarization loop may support the possible magnetoelectric coupling between PZT and Fe3O4 phases. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.