Solid-state synthesis of perovskite-spinel nanocomposites

Multifunctional materials are of interest due to their potential for numerous device applications. We have developed a synthesis method for novel, magnetoelectric Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4-BaTiO3 two-phase nanocomposites, via substrate-assisted solid-state reaction. The morphologies of the nanocomposites were dependent on substrate orientation. Extra particle facets were found to develop, where phase coexistence was observed by high-resolution electron microscopy in the vicinity of the extra facets, indicating that perovskite and spinel can self-organize with novel phase distributions at the nanoscale. This type of two-phase perovskite-spinel nanostructure offers the potential to engineer new types of multiferroic materials.