Dielectric, Magnetic, and Magnetoelectric Responses of Cu0.7Co0.3Fe2O4 and PbZr0.58Ti0.42O3 Composite Phases

In this research article, magnetoelectric composites comprising Cu0.7Co0.3Fe2O4 (CCFO) ferrite and PbZr0.58Ti0.42O3 (PZT) ferroelectric phases are synthesized using solid-state reaction methods and characterized comprehensively for their structural, electrical, and magnetic properties. The synthesis involved meticulous preparation of high-purity oxides, followed by presintering and final sintering steps to ensure phase formation and purity. Two fabrication approaches, particulate composites (y)CCFO + (1 - y) PZT where y = 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 and laminated films (CCFO/PZT/CCFO and PZT/CCFO/PZT), are explored, each showing distinct behaviors in terms of dielectric constant, loss tangent, temperature dependence, DC resistivity, and magnetic hysteresis. Particulate composites exhibit frequency-dependent dielectric behaviors influenced by particle interactions, while laminated films demonstrate more complex responses attributed to interfacial effects and layer interactions. Magnetic properties show variations in saturation magnetization, coercivity, and remanence, with laminated films generally exhibiting superior magnetic behaviors. Moreover, magnetoelectric coupling coefficients were evaluated, revealing higher values in laminated structures due to enhanced integration of magnetic and ferroelectric phases. This study underscores the importance of synthesis methodology and composite architecture in tailoring multifunctional properties offering insights into optimizing magnetoelectric performance for diverse applications.