(1 − x)BaTi0.5Mn0.5O3 + (x)Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe1.85Sm0.15O4 composite multiferroics: Analyzing the customizing effect on conductive and magnetic properties of BaTi0.5Mn0.5O3 by substituting Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe1.85Sm0.15O4 at different concentrations

Abstract

Mixed spinel–perovskite multiferroic (1 − x)BaTi0.5Mn0.5O3 + (x)Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe1.85Sm0.15O4 [(1 − x)BTMO + (x)NZFSO] ceramic composites with different concentrations, x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, have been prepared by the effective double sintering ceramic method. X-ray diffraction confirms the coexistence of the cubic spinel structure of the ferrimagnetic phase, Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe1.85Sm0.15O4 (NZFSO), and the tetragonal structure of the ferroelectric phase, BaTi0.5Mn0.5O3 (BTMO), in the composites. The theoretical density decreases while the bulk density increases with the substitution of ferrimagnetic NZFSO into ferroelectric BTMO. Scanning electron microscopy shows an increment in the grain size with ferrite doping. Increasing permeability with ferrite doping indicates the enhancement of magnetic properties of the composites. The Cole–Cole plot affirms the contribution of grains, grain boundaries, and electrodes to the resistive properties of the samples. The variation in polarization and magnetization is correlated with the ferrite content. The composite with x = 0.8 has a high saturation magnetization, Ms = 28.67 emu/g, and has a maximum remanent polarization, Pr = 258.123 µC/cm2.