Structural and electrical characterization of (BaTiO3)x(La0.67Sr0.33MnO3)1-x ceramic composites

Multiferroic materials with the coexistence of at least two ferroic orders (ferroelectric, (anti-)ferromagnetic, and ferroelastic) have recently drawn ever-increasing interest due to their potential for applications as multifunctional devices. Among them, the coexistence of ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism is highly desired. But only their coexistence is not enough; of most important is to require a strong coupling interaction between two ferroic orders. Ceramic composite of well known ferromagnetic metallic manganite La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) is systematically substituted by ferroelectric oxide BaTiO3 (BTO). Samples with generic formula (BTO)x(LSMO)1-x (x = 0.0 to 1.0, in step of 0.2) were synthesized by standard double sintering method. XRD show major perovskite LSMO phase upto x=0.6. However mixed phases were detected for almost all the x value except end points. Temperature dependent DC resistivity exhibit systematic metallic to insulator transformation with increasing x. Frequency dependent dielectric constants show a linear decrease over 10 MHz, whereas the loss tangent found to increase abnormally with frequency, with increasing x. Electric field dependent polarization show a broad hysteresis for x e' 0.6. (author)