Synthesis of lead zirconate titanate-cobalt ferrite magnetoelectric particulate composites via an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-citrate gel process

Magnetoelectric particulate composites composed of Pb(Zr0.48Ti0.52)O-3 (PZT) and CoFe2O4 (CFO) (molar ratio: PZT/CFO = 1:1) are prepared via an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-citrate gel process. In the composite sample sintered at 1080 C, crystalline CFO particles 1-2 mu m in size are uniformly distributed in the PZT matrix, which has a grain size of 0.3-0.5 mu m. This microstructure leads to a high electrical resistivity (similar to 1.8 x 10(11) Omega cm), which is a significant improvement on previous studies. (c) 2006 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.