Settlement stability, electrical properties, and magnetoelectric properties of Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4-PbZr0.5Ti0.5O3 multiferroic fluids modulating by particle sizes

Mn 0.5 Zn 0.5 Fe 2 O 4 -PbZr 0.5 Ti 0.5 O 3 (MZFO-PZT) multiferroic fluids with different MZFO particle sizes were prepared, and magnetoelectric coupling effects were observed to be enhanced at room temperature. The X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) indicates that the MZFO and PZT particles are in the pure phases. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images illustrate a decrease in MZFO particle size with increased ball milling time. As the MZFO particle sizes decrease, the settlement stability of multiferroic fluids becomes worse. The dielectric constant displays a nonlinear variation, exhibiting a maximum value of 4.52 at 140 Hz when the MZFO particle size is 0.55 μm. The residual polarization strength decreases and increases as particle size decreases, while the saturation polarization strength decreases gradually. The application of magnetic field results in a notable enhancement of the dielectric characteristics and ferroelectric properties, which indicates the presence of magnetodielectric and magnetoelectric coupling effects. The magnetoelectric coupling coefficient ( α ME ) is 15.14 V/(cm·Oe) when the MZFO particle size is 0.61 μm. By modifying the strength of the applied magnetic field, the α ME attains a maximum value of 114.43 V/(cm·Oe). This approach offers an effective strategy for optimizing the magnetoelectric coupling effect of multiferroic materials. Therefore, it is expected to be used in new magnetoelectric devices such as magnetoelectric random memories and magnetic field sensors. • The MZFO-PZT multiferroic fluids were prepared by ball milling method. • With the magnetic field, multiferroic fluids exhibit a significant magnetoelectric coupling effect. • When the MZFO particle size is 0.61 μm, the α ME is 21.65 (V/cm·Oe) at 2000 Hz. • MZFO-PZT multiferroic fluid has a maximum α ME of 114.43 (V/cm·Oe) at 4000 Hz and a magnetic field strength of 80 Oe.