IMF2017

Multiferroic composite, such as ferromagnetic – ferroelectric heterostructures offer a novel route for integrating ferroelectric and ferromagnetism which can produce large magneto-electric (ME) effect due to coupling interaction between the constituent phases. Single phase multiferroic materials possess ferroelectric and magnetic ordering in the same phase, thus the choice of single phase multiferroic exhibiting coexistence of strong ferro - / ferrimagnetism and ferroelectricity is limited. With a view to understand the multiferroic composite phenomenon, lead titanate as a ferroelectric phase and strontium hexaferrite as ferromagnetic phase was taken in the present investigations. This multiferroic composite with general formula (x)PbTiO₃ - (1-x)SrFe₁₂O₁₉ (where x = 0.10, 0.30 and 0.50) was prepared using solid state sintering method. Lead titanate and strontium hexaferrite phase formation was identified using X-ray diffraction technique, thus establishing diphase system without any secondary phase. Calculation of lattice parameter shows that the composite prefers hexagonal structure. The morphology of the formation of composite was seen through scanning electron microscopic technique. The morphological investigations show that the composites are dense, have fewer pores and ferroelectric grains are homogenously distributed in the ferrite matrix. The ferroelectric and ferromagnetic grains are identified on the basis of energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) studies. The magnetic behavior of the composites at room temperature display magnetic hysteresis loop, indicating that the composites are ferromagnetic. The value of saturation magnetization decreases with increase in ferroelectric content from x = 0.10 to 0.30, whereas for x = 0.50 it shows an increase. The magneto-capacitance shows a decrease in its value due to magnetostriction.