Enhancing magnetoelectric effect in multiferroic composite bilayers via flexoelectricity

We employ the flexoelectricity to enhance the magnetoelectric (ME) (coupling) effect in multiferroic (MF) composites and structures. An analytical model is presented to predict the ME effect in a MF composite bilayer consisting of piezomagnetic and piezoelectric layers. The flexoelectric effect in the piezoelectric layer is taken into account. The static ME effect in the MF composite bilayer with free boundary conditions is investigated. The results indicate that flexoelectricity can dramatically enhance the ME effect in multiferroic composites and structures. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.