Elsevier

Physica B: Condensed Matter

Volume 406, Issue 9, 15 April 2011, Pages 1763-1766
Physica B: Condensed Matter

Synthesis and characterization of MnFe2O4–BiFeO3 multiferroic composites

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physb.2011.02.023Get rights and content

Abstract

The mixed spinel–perovskite composites of xMnFe2O4–(1–x)BiFeO3 with x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 were prepared by solid state reaction method. The structure and grain size were examined by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), respectively. The XRD results showed that the composites consisted of spinel MnFe2O4 and perovskite BiFeO3 phases after being calcined at the temperature 950 °C for 2 h. The grain size ranged from 0.8 to 1 μm. Magnetization was found to increase with increasing concentration of ferrite content. The variation of dielectric constant and dielectric loss with frequency showed dispersion in the low frequency range. Magnetocapacitance was also observed in the prepared composites, which may be the sign of magnetoelectric coupling in the synthesized composites at room temperature.

Introduction

The emergence of a new class of two-phase materials, namely, magnetoelectric composites/ferrite–ferroelectric composites exhibiting magnetoelectric effect is a result of the concept of product property introduced by Van Suchtelen [1]. The combination of both ferromagnetic and ferroelectric materials in a single-phase material is expected to produce new properties such as magnetoelectric [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]. However, there are only a few naturally occurring materials that can exhibit both spontaneous magnetization and electric polarization (or exhibiting both ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties) [7]. Perovskite-type BiFeO3 is one of the well-known multiferroics with simultaneous ferroelectric (Tc=1103K) and G-Type antiferromagnetic (TN=643 K) nature [8], [9], [10], [11]. Till date, people have synthesized composites of ferrites (CoFe2O4, and ZnFe2O4) with PZT/BaTiO3/BiFeO3 both in bulk and thin films in order to enhance the multiferroic properties [12]. Manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) is a well-known magnetic material.

As per our literature survey no work has been done on MnFe2O4–BiFeO3 spinel–perovskite composite. Therefore we are reporting for the first time structural, dielectric, magnetic and magnetoelectric properties of composites xMnFe2O4–(1–x)BiFeO3 with x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 prepared by solid state reaction method.

Section snippets

Experimental techniques

The mixed spinel–perovskite composites of xMnFe2O4–(1–x)BiFeO3 with x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 were synthesized by double route method followed by conventional solid state reaction. First of all bismuth ferrite was prepared by conventional solid state reaction method using the high purity Bi2O3 and Fe2O3 as starting materials. Materials were ground for 3 h in the acetone medium. The obtained powders were calcined at 700 °C and leached in diluted HNO3. Leaching method was used to get single phase

Results and discussion

Fig. 1 shows the X-ray diffraction spectra of the compositions of xMnFe2O4–(1–x)BiFeO3 with x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 calcined at 950 °C for 2 h. The phase analysis displays the formation of spinel–perovskite mixed structure. X-ray diffraction spectra of the four compositions indicate that mixed crystalline spinel–perovskite phases have been formed in each case without any detectable strong third phase. Moreover, Fig. 1 exhibits that the intensity of MnFe2O4 peaks becomes stronger and broader

Conclusion

The mixed spinel–perovskite structured multiferroic composites of xMnFe2O4–(1–x)BiFeO3 with x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 synthesized by the conventional solid state reaction method is being reported for the first time. Spinel–perovskite phases were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectra. The grain size was found within the range of 0.8 to 1 μm for composites. Magnetization was found to increase as the concentration of MnFe2O4 was increased. The dielectric behavior is dominated by

Acknowledgment

One of authors (Amit Kumar) would like to acknowledge MHRD for providing fellowship.

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