Synthesis, analysis and characterization of structural, dielectric, magnetic and optical properties of novel (1−x)BaTiO3–(x)Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe12O19 multiferroic composites for memory storage applications

Abstract

The current research offers valuable insight into the structural, dielectric, magnetic, and magnetoelectric properties of novel multiferroic composite system (1−x)BaTiO₃–(x)Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Fe₁₂O₁₉, where x = (0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1) was fabricated using solid-state route. The XRD study accompanied by Rietveld Refinement validated the development of biphased composites. The Refinement patterns marked the existence of cubic phase along with the tetragonal phase in pristine ferroelectric (BaTiO₃). The FESEM along with EDX put a glance on surface morphology and elemental composition of the synthesized samples. The average grain size declines with the addition of ferroelectric phase in hexaferrite. The particle size is calculated with the help of HRTEM. The ε′ and the tanδ showed low frequency and higher temperature dispersion whose value upsurges up to x = 0.5 and then declines. The AC analysis revealed that the samples with x = 0.5 exhibit higher value of AC conductivity. The AC conductivity showed increasing trend with frequency and it was observed that the curve of DC conductivity follows the Arrhenius plot. The M–H loops verified magnetic behavior with high value of coercivity in composites. The magnetoelectric coupling coefficient attained a maximum of 13.764 µV/cm.Oe for the composite sample with x = 0.5, confirming the multiferroic behavior in the synthesized composites. These findings contribute to understand the multifunctional properties and potential use of the composite samples. UV–Vis spectroscopy analysis was performed in DRS mode in the wavelength range of 200–2500 nm. Tauc’s plot indicated that the optical bandgap decreases as the BSFO content increases in the BT ceramic. The results suggest that the synthesized materials hold significant potential for various applications, especially in the development of optoelectronic devices functioning in the visible range.