Enhancement of electrostrictive and magnetic performance with high energy storage efficiency in Fe2O3 nanoparticles-modified Ba(Zr0.07Ti0.93)O3 multiferroic ceramics

Lead-free Ba(Zr0.07Ti0.93)O-3/xFe(2)O(3) (93BZT/xFe(2)O(3) , x = 0-1.0 mol%) ceramics were prepared using a con-ventional mixed oxide method. The Fe2O3 nanoparticles additive disturbed the long-range ferroelectric order of the ceramics by changing the normal P-E hysteresis loop for the unmodified ceramic into a constricted loop for the 0.5 mol % Fe2O3 ceramic thereby resulting in an enhancement of the electric field-induced strain and electrostrictive coefficient at this composition. The 1.0 mol% Fe2O3 ceramic showed the highest energy storage efficiency (98%). The M -H hysteresis loop and the magnetocapacitance value were improved by the Fe2O3 nanoparticles additive. Results indicated that the magnetic and electrical performances of Ba(Zr0.07Ti0.93)O-3 modified by the Fe2O3 nanoparticle could be remarkably improved, thereby suggesting that this ceramic system has potentials for multifunction device applications.