Effects of CoFe2O4 content on the properties of nanoparticulate Bi3.15Nd0.85Ti3O12–CoFe2O4 thin films

The effects of CoFe2O4 content on the microstructure, leakage current density, fatigue endurance and magnetoelectric (ME) voltage coefficient of multiferroic Bi3.15Nd0.85Ti3O12-CoFe2O4 thin films fabricated by a chemical solution deposition method were studied. It was found that the composite films have lower leakage current densities and better fatigue endurance properties compared with pure Bi3.15Nd0.85Ti3O12 film, and the composite films possess large ME voltage coefficients. The mechanism concerning the dependence of properties on CoFe2O4 content is discussed. (C) 2008 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.