Role of sintering on magneto-electric effect in CuFe1.8Cr0.2O4-Ba0.8Pb0.2Ti0.8Zr0.2O3 composite ceramics

Magnetoelectric composites containing CuFe1.8Cr0.2O4- Ba0.8Pb0.2Ti0.8Zr0.2O3 phases were prepared by sintering at different firing temperatures. The particle size for either phase of the composite increased, whereas porosity decreased with increase in sintering temperature. This was due to an increase in grain size with increase in sintering temperature. Resistivity of the composite decreased with increase in either sintering temperature or CuFe1.8Cr0.2O4 content. The variation of dielectric constant with temperature reflected DPT type behaviour. The peak value of dielectric constant for a composite decreased with increase in its sintering temperature. The maximum value of the magnetoelectric conversion factor equal to 182.7 microV/(cm*Oe) was obtained for 70% Ba0.8Pb0.2Ti0.8Zr0.2O3-30% CuFe1.8Cr0.2O4 composite when sintered at 1000 C. 13 refs.