Effects of magnetic-elastic anisotropy on magnetoelectric gyrator with ferrite/PZT/ferrite laminate for enhancement of power conversion efficiencies

•An effective method is presented for further improving the PE in ME gyrators.•Approximately 1.69 times enhancement in PE is obtained at θ = 75˚ and H = 98Oe.•Anisotropic magneto-elastic variations account for PE variations along θ rotations. Effects of magnetic-elastic anisotropy on ferrite/lead zirconate titanate (PZT)/ferrite magnetoelectric (ME) gyrators were investigated for power conversion efficiency further improvement, and a methodology was introduced by changing the direction of applied magnetic field (HDC). Simulation by using finite element method provides a clear evolution of magnetic flux density distribution in ferrite as HDC rotates. Consequently, enhanced ME coupling as well as power conversion efficiency (PE) was achieved under a certain angle with maximum effective magnetic field applied especially at intensive magnetic fields. Experimental results show that current (I)-voltage (V) versus directional angle (θ) between HDC direction and longitudinal direction of ME sample and PE vs θ data can essentially track the dynamic piezomagnetic coefficient (DPMC) vs θ profile, indicating that the HDC rotation induced anisotropic magneto-elastic variations are responsible for the eventual PE improvement. For higher HDC = 98Oe, PE reaches its maximum of 76.5% at θ = 75˚ relative to its counterpart of 47.6% at θ = 0˚, exhibiting an approximately 1.69 times higher enhancement. Therefore, the feasibility of an efficient approach was verified by the obtained results, providing possibilities for PE further improvement and enhanced flexibilities for ME gyrator design.