Electrical conduction and magnetoelectric effect of (x) BaTiO3 + (1-x) Ni0.92Co0.03Cu0.05Fe2O4 composites in ferroelectric rich region

Particulate composites with composition (x)BaTiO3 + (1-x)Ni0.92Co0.03Cu0.05Fe2O4 in which x varies as 1, 0.85, 0.70, 0.55 and 0 (in mol%) were prepared by the conventional double sintering ceramic technique. The presence of two phases viz. ferromagnetic (Ni0.92Co0.03Cu0.05Fe2O4) and ferroelectric (BaTiO3) was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The dc resistivity and thermo-emf measurements were carried out with variation of temperature. The ac conductivity (sigma(ac)) measurements investigated in the frequency range 100 Hz to 1 MHz conclude that the conduction in these composites is due to small polarons. The variation of dielectric constant and loss tangent with frequency (20 Hz to 1 MHz) was studied. The static magnetoelectric conversion factor, i.e. de (dE/dH)(H) was measured as a function of intensity of applied magnetic field. The changes were observed in electrical properties as well as in magnetoelectric voltage coefficient as the molar ratio of the constituent phases was varied. A maximum value of magnetoelectric conversion factor of 536.06 mu V/cm Oe was observed for the composite, with 70% BaTiO3 + 30% Ni0.92CO0.03Cu0.05Fe2O4 at a de magnetic field of 2.3 K Oe. The maximum magnetoelectric conversion output has been explained in terms of ferrite-ferroelectric content, applied static magnetic field and resistivity. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.