Ferroelectric properties and magnetoelectric effect in (1-x)Ni _0.93Co_0.02Cu_0.05Fe₂O ₄/xPZT particulate composites

A series of (1-x)Ni_0.93Co_0.02Cu_0.05Fe ₂O₄/xPZT (NCCF/PZT) particulate composites have been prepared by the high energy ball milling and normal ceramic sintering techniques. The constituent phases of the composites and the grain sizes were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The frequency spectrum of relative dielectric constant (ε_r) was analyzed in the range of 40 Hz to 1 MHz at room temperature. The temperature dependence of ε_r was studied at three frequencies (1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz). It is experimentally found that r and piezoelectric constant (d₃₃) get bigger when the x increases, and the Curie temperature decreases with increasing ferrite content. The dielectric constant is stable at higher frequencies. The electric hysteresis loops show weak ferroelectric property. The magnetoelectric (ME) coefficient was studied at various frequencies and the maximum ME voltage coefficient was 56.17 mv/mc.Oe for 0.8PZT+0.2NCCF composite ceramic.