Enhanced dielectric response under applied magnetic field in 0-3 particulate composites of (1-x)PbZr0.95Ti0.05O3-(x)Ni0.7Zn0.3Fe2O4

Multiferroic behaviour in novel kind of ferroelectric (FE)-ferromagnetic (FM) particulate composites of (1-x)PbZr0.95Ti0.05O3(PZT)-(x)Ni0.7Zn0.3Fe2O4 (NZFO) [x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4] has been studied. The study of FE-FM composites is represented in the context of structural, electrical, magnetic and magnetodielectric properties. X-ray diffraction reveals that both ferroelectric (PZT) and ferrite (NZFO) phases are present in prepared 0-3 type particulate composites. Scanning electron micrographs show the distribution of NZFO in the PZT matrix. Temperature-dependent relative permittivity studies revealed ferroelectric to paraelectric transition at similar to 250 degrees C. Room-temperature dielectric properties of the system have been studied in a wide range of frequencies (100 Hz to 1 MHz). Polarization versus electric field (P-E) studies at room temperature give conclusive confirmation of the presence of spontaneous polarization in all the composites. Magnetodielectric (MC%) measurements show the maximum 7.74% change at 1 kHz along with high values of magnetoelectric coupling coefficients gamma similar to 5.98 x 10(-5) (emu/g)(-2), chi(E) similar to 53.75 (mV/cm Oe) and chi similar to 16.60 x 10(-8) (s/m) for 60PZT-40NZFO composite.