Structural, magnetic and electric properties of multiferroic NiFe < inf > 2 < /inf > O < inf > 4 < /inf > -BaTiO < inf > 3 < /inf > composites

Abstract

The room-temperature magnetoelastic coupling has been demonstrated in (x)NiFe 2 O 4 + (1 − x)BaTiO 3 (where x = 0–1 with a difference of 0.1) composite system by investigating its structural, magnetic and ferroelectric properties. The samples were prepared by the standard solid-state reaction method and characterized by x-ray diffraction, backscattered scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy techniques. The temperature dependent magnetization data clearly show significant jumps in magnetization curves at structural phase transitions of BaTiO 3 , signifying the strain-mediated converse magnetoelectric (CME) coupling in NiFe 2 O 4 -BaTiO 3 multiferroic system. The substantial changes observed in the obtained parameters from structural, magnetic and ferroelectric properties clearly ensure the strain-mediated magnetoelectric (ME) as well as CME effects in this system. The present investigation indicates that the NiFe 2 O 4 -BaTiO 3 composite system will be a potential candidate for the future low-power consumption device applications at room temperature.