Significant impact of spinel ferrites in evolution of magneto-electric coupling in novel tri-phase composites

Multiferroic materials have played an important role in recent technological breakthroughs because of their intrinsic magneto-electric coupling characteristics. In this framework, a cost effective and reliable sol-gel auto combustion method was used to synthesize the 0.8[(1-x) BiFeO3 + xFe(3)O(4)] + 0.2Cr(2)O(3) (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1) nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction was used to identify three phases and their unique crystal parameters. Elemental composition of the samples was verified using an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed distinct, well-shaped, and spherical grains when the spinel-ferrite contents were introduced to the series. An irregular behavior in the bulk porosity was observed, courtesy to the ImageJ software. The vibrating sample magnetometer, operated at +/- 7 kOe, showed an increase in saturation magnetism. A rigorous analysis of recoverable energy density, energy loss density, and other ferroelectric parameters had been presented, demonstrating the potential of the proposed recipe for energy storage devices. The synthesized specimens demonstrated remarkable magneto-electric coupling at optimal content levels.