Analysis of dielectric dispersion and magnetoelectric coupling in BiFeO3 and NiFe2O4 nanocomposites

Abstract Increasing demand of multifunctional devices has attracted researchers and scientists toward materials having magnetoelectric coupling as they can provide an extra degree of freedom to device fabrication. In this regard, composites of antiferromagnetic perovskites and ferromagnetic spinels comprise a prospective recipe. Here, we report (1-x)BiFe0.9Mn0.1O3-xNiFe2O4 (x = 0.00, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, and 0.50) nanocomposites prepared by a two-step route. Analysis of the data obtained from diffractometer confirmed the corresponding crystalline phases of Mn-doped BiFeO3 and NiFe2O4. Formation of nanoparticles was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscope. Presence of stoichiometric amounts of all elements in composites was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. To understand the dielectric relaxation phenomenon, we examined dielectric spectra in a wide frequency range, something that helped us probe the nature of charge transition inside the samples. Increasing NiFe2O4 contents in composites improved the ferroelectric and magnetic response of the material with noticeable magneto-electric coupling, showing the potential of these composites for multifunctional device fabrication.