Magnetoelectric CoFe2O4/Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 composite thin films of 2–2 type structure derived by a sol–gel process

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 509; no. 9; pp. 3811 - 3816
• Main Authors: Xu, Yu-Dong, Wu, Guang, Su, Hai-Lin, Shi, Min, Yu, Gui-Yang, Wang, Li
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 03.03.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Composite materials; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Ferroelectric; Liquid phase epitaxy; deposition from liquid phases (melts, solutions, and surface layers on liquids); Magnetic; Magnetic properties and materials; Magnetic properties of monolayers and thin films; Magnetic properties of surface, thin films and multilayers; Magnetoelectric; Materials science; Methods of deposition of films and coatings; film growth and epitaxy; Physics; Sol–gel processes; Ferroelectric; Magnetic; Composite materials; Sol–gel processes; Magnetoelectric; Composite film; Liquid phase deposition; XRD; Nanostructures; PZT; Precursor; Thin films; Multilayers; Magnetoelectric effects; Sol-gel process; Magnetic properties; Differential scanning calorimetry; Scanning electron microscopy; Annealing; Multilayer; Citric acid; Ferroelectricity; Ferroelectric materials; Morphology; Sol-gel processes; Spin-on coating; Microstructure
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2010.12.112
• ISSN: 0925-8388

▶ The prepared magnetoelectric composite thin films of 2–2 type structure exhibit good morphologies and compact structure. ▶ The amount of the citric acid and concentration of CFO starting precursor solution have great impact on morphologies of composite thin films. ▶ The films exhibit both good magnetic and ferroelectric properties, as well as a magnetoelectric effect. CoFe2O4/Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 (CFO/PZT) magnetoelectric composite thin films of 2–2 type structure have been prepared onto Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrate by a sol–gel process and spin coating technique. The optimal annealing process of composite thin films was determined by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It is found that the amount of the citric acid and concentration of CFO starting precursor solution have great impact on morphologies of composite thin films. Subsequent scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations show that the prepared thin films exhibit good morphologies and compact structure, and cross-sectional micrographs clearly display a multilayered nanostructure of multilayered thin films. The purpose of this work is to determine the optimal annealing processes of composite thin films and to prepare magnetoelectric composite thin films with good microstructure. It is shown that the films exhibit both good magnetic and ferroelectric properties, as well as a magnetoelectric effect.