Structural, dielectric and magnetoelectric coupling analysis in SrBi2Nb2O9–CoFe2O4 composites

Ferroelectric–magnetic composites of SrBi2Nb2O9–CoFe2O4 (SBN–CFO) were synthesized via conventional solid state reaction route. The powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy measurements confirm the existence of two chemically separated phases and phase purity in the SBN–CFO composites. Magnetization measurements confirm the enhanced values of the magnetic parameters. The change in the area of the ferroelectric P vs. E loops with frequency confirms the enhanced ferroelectric nature of the SBN–CFO composites. The quantified maximum values of magnetoelectric coefficient (α) are observed from the P vs. E loop measurements in the influence of applied magnetic field and found to be 4.475 mV cm−1 Oe−1 at 688 Oe for SBN–0.1CFO and 3.389 mV cm−1 Oe−1 at 1000 Oe for SBN–0.2CFO composites, respectively. The shifting in the peaks of temperature-dependent dielectric maxima towards the higher temperature side confirms the relaxor behaviour in the SBN–CFO composite samples.