Physical and magnetic properties for two types of connectivity of NiFe2O4/PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (NFO/PZT) composite

In this article, we report on the synthesis as well as structure, microstructure, and magnetic properties of nanocomposites NiFe2O4/PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (NFO/PZT) with weight ratio (40%(NFO):60%(PZT)). They are synthesized in two types of connectivity (0-0) and (0-3) connectivity by standard mixing and modified two-step sol-gel techniques, respectively. Single-phase NFO and PZT are also prepared by sol-gel and hydrothermal techniques, respectively. This study aims to merely understand the effect of different connectivity on the composite properties. X-ray and electron diffraction results confirm the presence of tetragonal and cubic phases for PZT and NFO, respectively, in (0-0) and (0-3) 0.4NFO/0.6PZT nanocomposites. The size-strain analysis results showed that (0-3) 0.4NFO/0.6PZT has a higher microstrain than (0-0) 0.4NFO/0.6PZT. The microstructural and morphological properties were recognized by high-resolution transmission electron microscope. The spectrums of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and magnetic properties are affected by the difference in the connectivity. The saturation magnetization M-s of (0-3) 0.4NFO/0.6PZT is higher than (0-0) 0.4NFO/0.6PZT, while the coercive field H-c of (0-3) 0.4NFO/0.6PZT is lower than (0-0) 0.4NFO/0.6PZT due to the lower value of porosity. Also, the relative initial permeability of (0-3) 0.4NFO/0.6PZT is higher than the (0-0) 0.4NFO/0.6PZT, and the Curie temperatures of both nanocomposites are significantly increased relative to the single-phase NFO. In general, the (0-3) connectivity shows remarkable physical and magnetic properties over the (0-0) connectivity.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effect of different connectivity on the properties of NiFe2O4/PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (NFO/PZT) nanocomposites. The results show that the (0-3) connectivity exhibits higher magnetic properties and relative initial permeability, lower coercive field, and significantly increased Curie temperature compared to the (0-0) connectivity.