Magnetostriction and magnetoelectric effect in intermetallic/relaxor/PVDF composites

Magnetoelectric effect in multiferroic materials is widely studied for its fundamental interest and practical applications. The magnetoelectric effect observed for single phase multiferroics is usually small. A much larger effect can be obtained in composites consisting of magnetostrictive and ferroelectric phases. Recently, both TbFe₂ compound and other MgCu₂-type intermetallics (Terfenol D, Samfenol-E, Galfenol) have been thoroughly tested as strongly magnetostrictive constituents of composites with piezoceramics or piezopolymers to attain a giant magnetoelectric effect. This paper investigates the magnetostriction and magnetoelectric effect of bulk TbFe₂-Pb(FeNb)_0.5O₃-PVDF composites (PVDF - Polyvinylidene fluoride). It describes the syntheses and magnetoelectric properties for pure TbFe₂ compound, Pb(FeNb)_0.5O₃ relaxor and xTbFe₂-yPb(FeNb)_0.5O₃-(1-x-y)PVDF composites. Parallel and perpendicular magnetostriction of the pure TbFe₂ and bulk composites were measured at room temperature as a function of the magnetic field (0.3 - 7.5 kOe). Magnetoelectric effect at room temperature was investigated as a function of the static magnetic field (0.3 - 7.5 kOe).