Role of electrodes materials in determining the interfacial and magnetoelectric properties in BaTiO3-based multiferroic tunnel junctions

Using the first-principles calculations based on density functional theory, the important role of electrode materials in determining the interfacial, ferroelectric stability and magnetoelectric properties in BaTiO3-based multiferroic tunnel junctions (MFTJs) have been investigated comparatively. It is found that the SrO-TiO2 interface of MFTJs with oxide electrode SrRuO3 is the most favorable interfacial structure. The average ferroelectric polarizations of MFTJs with electrode Co, FeCo and SrRuO3 are 25, 36 and 0 mu C/cm(2), respectively. The using of alloy electrode FeCo is more contributed to ferroelectric stability and the enhancement of magnetoelectric coupling of BaTiO3-based MFTJs. We expect our findings can provide an essential evaluation for the selection of electrode materials in spintronic storage devices.