Structural and Magnetic Properties of CoFe₂O₄ and Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ Nanoparticles for the Magnetoelectric Composite Films

Abstract

In the present work, cobalt ferrite and Zn-doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized using a low temperature solution method. A study of the magnetic properties of the CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles shows high coercivity at 10 K. Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ nanoparticles show a lower coercive field but a higher saturation magnetization as compared to CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. Blocking temperature of the particles decreased from 355 K for CoFe₂O₄ to 220 K for Co_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄. A PbZr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃:CoFe₂O₄ composite film prepared using CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles dispersed in PbZr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃ solution shows ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties. Such low-cost synthesis approach shows promise for use in magnetoelectric composite films.

Acknowledgments

Authors would like to thank the University of Connecticut. The author MJ is grateful to the financial support from UConn startup funds and National Science Foundation grant (NSF #1105975).