Enhanced magnetoelectrical coupling in cobalt ferrite/lead lanthanum zirconate titanate 0-3 composites through phase boundary modification

We have developed a processing technique for producing cobalt ferrite (CFO)/lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) 0-3 composites with enhanced piezoelectric, ferroelectric and magnetoelectrical (ME) coupling properties. It includes modifying the phase boundary with zirconia barrier layer and decreasing the sintering temperature with Li2O + 0.5Bi2O3 additives. The CFO/PLZT 0-3 composites were successfully fabricated via conventional co-firing procedures. The obtained 0-3 composite ceramics can withstand a DC electric field of 6 kV mm−1. The effects of CFO/PLZT ratio on the crystalline structure, piezoelectric, ferroelectric, dielectric and M–E properties were investigated. The M–E coefficients of the composites with CFO:PLZT volume ratio of 14.4:85.6, 27.4:72.6 and 39.3:60.7 were found to be 31, 52 and 143 mV (Oe cm)−1 at 100 kHz under a bias field of ∼1 kOe.