Synthesis and characterization of MnFe2O4-BiFeO3 multiferroic composites

The mixed spinel-perovskite composites of xMnFe2O4-(1-x)BiFeO3 with x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 were prepared by solid state reaction method. The structure and grain size were examined by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), respectively. The XRD results showed that the composites consisted of spinel MnFe2O4 and perovskite BiFeO3 phases after being calcined at the temperature 950 oC for 2 h. The grain size ranged from 0.8 to 1 μm. Magnetization was found to increase with increasing concentration of ferrite content. The variation of dielectric constant and dielectric loss with frequency showed dispersion in the low frequency range. Magnetocapacitance was also observed in the prepared composites, which may be the sign of magnetoelectric coupling in the synthesized composites at room temperature.