Strain-mediated electrical and optical properties of novel lead-free CuFe 2 O 4 -KNbO 3 nanocomposite solid solutions: A combined experimental and Density Functional Theory studies

• Published in: Microscopy research and technique 2022-09, Vol.85 (9), p.3140-3152
• Main Authors: I B, Shameem Banu, Raman, Rajesh, Mamat, Mohamad Hafiz, P, Komalavalli, B H, Poornima, S, Divyalakshmi, S, Sathik Basha, A, Sathya Priya, Hussain, Shamima
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1059-910X; 1097-0029
• DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24172

This article summarizes the strain-mediated electrical and optical properties of novel lead-free xCuFe O (1 - x) KNbO (x = 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) multiferroic nanocomposite through a solid state route. X-ray diffraction analysis divulges the influence of interfacial strain in the KNbO -CuFe O matrix and shows the coexistence of orthorhombic and cubic spinel phases, respectively. Morphological analysis reveals that the average particle size of 0.3CuFe O -0.7KNbO is 25 nm which is smaller than the other two nanocomposites. The UV-visible absorption studies and Raman spectroscopy of 0.3CuFe O -0.7KNbO nanocomposite present the high energy bandgap and electro coupling of KNbO and CuFe O phases. The DFT theoretical bandgap behaviors of all the three nanocomposites synchronize with the experimental bandgap results. Dielectric, ferroelectric and magnetoelectric behaviors are also improved in 0.3CuFe O -0.7KNbO nanocomposite as compared to pristine KNbO and the other two nanocomposites.