Electrical properties of novel (x) Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 + (1-x)PbZr0.8Ti0.2O3 ME composites

Magnetoelectric composites with composition (x)Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ + (1-x)PbZr_0.8Ti_0.2O₃ (PZT- Lead Zirconate Titanate) in which x varies as 0.0, 0.15, 0.30, 0.45 and 1.0 mol % were prepared by the conventional double sintering ceramic technique. The phase analysis was carried out using X-ray diffraction technique, which confirms the absence of any intermediate phase present in the composites. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) were taken to understand the surface morphology of the samples. The DC resistivity was measured as a function of temperature. The variation of dielectric constant (ε′) and loss tangent (tanδ) in the frequency range 20 Hz to 1 MHz was studied. The conduction phenomenon was explained on the basis of small polaron hopping model. The confirmation of this phenomenon was made with the help of AC conductivity measurements.