Ferroelectric, ferromagnetic, magnetodielectric and in-plane ME coupling properties of Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃–Bi_0.9Nd_0.1FeO₃ bilayer nano-films prepared via Sol–gel processing

Biphasic magnetoelectric composite films composed of Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ and Bi_0.9Nd_0.1FeO₃ were successfully fabricated on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO₂/Si(100) substrates via Sol–gel and Rapid Thermal Process, forming Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃/Bi_0.9Nd_0.1FeO₃ and Bi_0.9Nd_0.1FeO₃/Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ bilayer structures due to the different deposition sequences. Phase formation and lattice parameters of the tetragonal PZT and rhombohedral BNF were confirmed in X-ray diffractograms. The scan electron micrographs showed that Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ layer owns larger and closer grains than the corresponding Bi_0.9Nd_0.1FeO₃ layer. Physical properties testing indicated that such bilayer nanostructures show simultaneously excellent ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties, as well as conspicuous magnetodielectric and magnetoelectric effects. And meanwhile, the Bi_0.9Nd_0.1FeO₃/Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ thin films exhibit better ferroelectric, ferromagnetic, magnetodielectric and in-plane magnetoelectric coupling properties than Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃/Bi_0.9Nd_0.1FeO₃ films, revealing the influence of interfacial effect caused by deposition sequences of the constituent phases.