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Electrical and magnetic properties of BSFO-NZF multiferroic composite ceramics
Author(s)
Date Issued
June 1, 2025
Type
Article
Abstract
This study involves the characterization and synthesis of (1-x)Bi0.9Sm0.1FeO3 (BSFO) in association with (x)Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4 (NZF) multiferroic composite ceramics, utilizing x ratios of 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0, achieved through the high-energy planetary ball milling technique and conventional solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction confirms the formation of perovskite in the BSFO phase and spinel cubic structure in the NZF phase, absent from any elemental residues. It also signifies the successful incorporation of Sm ions into the BFO lattice. The utilization of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) for microstructural analysis demonstrates densified structures resulting from reduced grain sizes with the incorporation of NZF and verifies the composition percentages in the BSFO/NZF composite ceramic. The investigation of ferroelectric materials revealed that the ceramic hysteresis loop for the conditions of x = 0.3 and x = 0.5 demonstrated the most optimal ferroelectric behavior. The dielectric constant (εr) exhibited composition-dependent behavior, decreasing from 4895.32 to 44.64 at 1 kHz with increasing NZF content, while demonstrating consistent frequency dispersion across 1 kHz to 1 MHz. Magnetic measurements conducted via vibrating sample magnetometry revealed a substantial increase in saturation magnetization from 0.24 emu/g to 80.06 emu/g as NZF concentration increased, under a maximum applied field of 20 kOe. Enhanced magnetic properties with preserved ferroelectricity enable potential magnetoelectric device applications. This study establishes systematic composition-property relationships that offer insights for optimizing multiferroic composites in practical applications such as sensors, actuators, and data storage devices.
Citation
Materials Today Communications, 46, 2025