Magnetoelectric coupling enhancement in lead-free BCTZ–xNZFO composites

In this work, (1 − x)Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 (BCZT)–xNi0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 (NZFO), where x = 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4, particulate composites were prepared by conventional solid-state method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirmed that the composites exist in mixed spinel-perovskite phase for all compositions. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was used to calculate the grain size distribution and surface morphology. The composites were investigated for the relative dielectric constant with variation in temperature and frequency. Polarization (P) vs. electric field (E) loops of the composites appear to be lossy with the increase in ferrite content. Magnetic hysteresis (M–H) loops show the increase in saturation magnetization with an increase of ferrite content. Change in dielectric properties is studied under varying magnetic fields and observed maximum change in x = 0.4 composite. We observed maximum magnetoelectric coupling (ME) coefficient in x = 0.4 composite, i.e., 7.71 mV/cm Oe in unpoled and 9.45 mV/cm Oe in poled samples.