Dielectric and magnetic properties of lead zirconate titanate/Ni ferrite composites

Ni_0.93Co_0.02Cu_0.05Fe₂O ₄ and lead zirconate titanate composites with ferroelectric- ferromagnetic characteristics were prepared using the conventional solid state reaction method. The presence of constituent phases in composites was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The microstructural features of the composites were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that the ferrite and piezoelectric phases can coexist in the composites. The variation in dielectric constant with frequency in the range from 40 Hz to 1 MHz and also with temperature (frequency of 1 kHz) has been studied. Typical magnetic hysteresis loops of composites have been observed at room temperature. The permeability of composites decreases with the increasing content of non-ferromagnetic phase, and the composites preserve their basic properties. Hence, these composites, lead zirconate titanate-Ni_0.93Co _0.02Cu_0.05Fe₂O₄, are a good candidate as magnetoelectric material.