A simple and low-cost method of preparing CoFe2O4/Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 composite ceramics

In this work, we used the single-pot synthesis methods to prepare the uniform and pure CFO/BCZT composite particles with different mass ratios (1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7) at first. Then these particles were sintered into the composite ceramics successfully at 1200 degrees C. The surface morphology, dielectric, leakage, ferroelectric, and ferromagnetic properties of composite ceramics were studied systematically. All diffraction peaks correspond to the standard card and the XRD pattern shows no impurity peaks. Then the grain size of composite powders is in the range of 30-40 nm. SEM results show that the crystal grains of the ferromagnetic and ferroelectric phases are easy to agglomerate. The dielectric properties of composite ceramics are mainly related to the mass ratio of the ferroelectric phase. As the content of BCZT improves, the dielectric constant slowly increases, and the dielectric loss slowly reduces at high frequency. The saturated polarization (P-s), residual polarization (P-r), and coercive field (E-c) of the 1:4 reach 3.03 mu C/cm(2), 1.14 mu C/cm(2), and 8.91 kV/cm, respectively. The leakage current and ferromagnetism of composite ceramics could be improved by adjusting the mass ratio. In addition, the frequency could well change the magnetoelectric coupling coefficient (alpha(ME)) of the sample. The maximum magnetoelectric coupling coefficient of the 1:3 is 92.24 mV/cm Oe.

Automated summary

In this study, uniform and pure CFO/BCZT composite particles were prepared using single-pot synthesis methods, and successfully sintered into composite ceramics. The structure and properties of the composite ceramics were found to be influenced by the mass ratio of the ferroelectric phase, and the magnetoelectric coupling coefficient was also affected by the frequency.