Flexible ceramic composites for Magnetic field sensor Applications

Thin flexible mats of IPN-Multiferroic perovskite were prepared using In-situ polymerization of PU/PMMA & (PrFeO 3 ) 0.24 -(PbTiO 3 ) 0.76 ). X-ray diffraction peaks confirmed the presence of a tetragonal crystal phase (P 4mm No. 99) of perovskite in a non-crystalline interpenetrating polymer network (IPN). The M-H hysteresis revealed the presence of magnetic ordering, whereas the P vs. E loop showed the presence of ferroelectric ordering in composites. The detection of elements present in the sample was done by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The FTIR spectra of flexible mats revealed distinct transmittance peaks indicating various functional groups, including Si-OH, OH, methylene (CH2), urethane carbonyl (C=O), Si-O-Si, Fe-O, Ti-O, and PbO, thus, confirming their expected presence within the sample. The variation in weight loss and elongation at the break due to the incorporation of multiferroic ceramic directly manifested improved mechanical properties of pure IPN. The change in voltage with both frequency and magnetic field, attested for magneto-electric coupling in the prepared flexible sheets. We also observed the magnetoelectric coupling coefficient ‘α ME ’ by subjecting the sample to an AC magnetic field of 20 Oe, scanning frequencies from 150 Hz to 500Hz. The maximum value of ‘α ME ’ was obtained between 180 Hz and 220 Hz. At three different frequencies (180 Hz, 200 Hz, and 220 Hz), the DC magnetic field varied from 0 to 10.31 kOe. The maximum ME coefficient, 1.66 mVcm -1 Oe -1, is obtained for x  = 40 wt%. This predicts their capability to be used in various device applications including magnetic field sensors.