Microstructure and Properties of the Ferroelectric-Ferromagnetic PLZT-Ferrite Composites

• Main Authors: Dariusz Bochenek, Przemysław Niemiec, Joanna Korzekwa, Bartłomiej Durtka, Zbigniew Stokłosa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-03-01
• Series: Symmetry
• Subjects: ferroelectromagnetics; multiferroics; ceramic composites; perovskite-type materials
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2073-8994/10/3/59

The paper presents the technology of ferroelectric-ferromagnetic ceramic composites obtained from PLZT powder (the chemical formula Pb0.98La0.02(Zr0.90Ti0.10)0.995O3) and ferrite powder (Ni0.64Zn0.36Fe2O4), as well as the results of X-ray powder-diffraction data (XRD) measurement, microstructure, dielectric, ferroelectric, and magnetic properties of the composite samples. The ferroelectric-ferromagnetic composite (P-F) was obtained by mixing and the synthesis of 90% of PLZT and 10% of ferrite powders. The XRD test of the P-F composite shows a two-phase structure derived from the PLZT component (strong peaks) and the ferrite component (weak peaks). The symmetry of PLZT was identified as a rhombohedral ferroelectric phase, while the ferrite was identified as a spinel structure. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) microstructure analysis of the P-F ceramic composites showed that fine grains of the PLZT component surrounded large ferrite grains. At room temperature P-F composites exhibit both ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties. The P-F composite samples have lower values of the maximum dielectric permittivity at the Curie temperature and a higher dielectric loss compared to the PLZT ceramics, however, the exhibit overall good multiferroic properties.