PbTiO3–Ni0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 multiferroic nanocomposites: Impact of ball-milling on dielectric, magnetic and ferroelectric properties

The structural, dielectric, ferroelectric and magnetoelectric (ME) properties of multiferroic [PbTiO3-Ni0.5Co0.5Fe2O4] (PT-NCF) composites have been discussed at room temperature. The uniformly distributed two-phase composites of PbTiO3 (ferroelectric) dispersed into nano-sized Ni0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 (ferromagnetic) of different particle size were synthesized by employing high energy ball milling for 12, 24 and 48 h respectively. The phase and morphology of composites were confirmed by XRD and SEM analysis respectively. The dielectric properties were determined at different frequencies (i.e. from 1 kHz to 1 MHz) and it is observed that the dielectric constant and ferroelectric transition temperature (T-C) decreases with particle size. Further, the ferroelectric behavior of the composites was discussed at room temperature by examining the P-E loops. The magnetic and magneto-electric measurements were performed to analyze the effect of particle size on ferromagnetic and magneto-electric properties of PT-NCF composites. The coexistence of ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties in composites with strong ME coupling is essential for a good multiferroic composites material and its applications.