Ferroelectric, dielectric, ferromagnetic and magnetoelectric properties of the multiferroic heteroepitaxial NiFe2O4/Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 composite thin films deposited via PLD

Heterostructured NiFe2O4/Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 (NFO/BCZT) composite thin films grown epitaxially on (100)-SrRuO3/SrTiO3 substrate (SrRuO3 is used as the bottom electrode) were prepared via pulse laser deposition. Phase formation of the tetragonal BCZT and cubic NFO were confirmed in X-ray diffractograms. A low RMS roughness and a smaller grain size were calculated from the surface microtopography. Physical properties testing indicated that such multiferroic heteroepitaxial composite thin films exhibit simultaneously excellent ferroelectric, dielectric, ferromagnetic properties, as well as conspicuous magnetoelectric effects. The saturated and remnant polarizations of NFO/BCZT film are about 35.79 and 12.43 mu C cm(-2) respectively, the magnetoelectric coupling coefficient reaches up to about 93 mV cm(-1) Oe(-1) at a bias magnetic field of 800 Oe, which is expected a bright application prospect in new storage technology and the medical field.