BaTiO3–(Ni0.5Zn0.5)Fe2O4 ceramic composites with ferroelectric and magnetic properties

Di-phase ceramic composites 0.50BaTiO3–0.50Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 with limited reaction at interfaces prepared by two methods: (i) mixing BaTiO3 and Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 powders and (ii) co-precipitation of Fe, Ni, Zn salts in solutions containing BaTiO3 powders, are comparatively analysed. Homogeneous microstructures with higher density and better mixing of the two phases are obtained by the second method and consequently, better dielectric properties (tan δ < 5% and ɛr ∈ 300–800 for f > 104 Hz at room temperature) and higher magnetic moments. Some interface effects are playing important roles on the dielectric properties at low frequencies and high temperatures, mainly in the samples prepared following the method (i). Both the ferroelectric and magnetic phases preserve their basic properties in the bulk composite form and thus, these composites BT-NZF are good candidates as magnetoelectric materials.