abstract
- © 2018 Elsevier LtdFlexible multiferroic nanofibers of poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE) containing 20% w/w of bismuth ferrite doped with neodymium and cobalt (Nd0.05Bi0.95Fe0.95Co0.05O3) nanoparticles were fabricated by electrospinning. SEM micrographs show well aligned nanofibers with average diameter of 420 nm, X-Ray diffraction revealed R3c crystalline structure corresponding to Nd0.05Bi0.95Fe0.95Co0.05O3 and crystallinity ß phase of PVDF-TrFE polymer. FTIR spectra and DSC thermogram were used to investigate the crystallization behavior of PVDF-TrFE and showed pure ß phase crystals and high degree of crystallinity. Dielectric measurements determined a low conductivity was found (3 × 10¿6¿1 × 10¿9 S) together with a piezoelectric coefficient of 35 pm/V (¿d33) and low permittivity (¿r = 30¿42). Obtained nanofibers displayed a ferromagnetic hysteresis loop, with coercivity of 140 mT and remnant magnetization of 0.580 Am2/kg at room temperature. The coexistence of magnetic hysteresis and ferroelectric properties in Nd0.05Bi0.95Fe0.95Co0.05O3/PVDF-TrFE nanofibers indicates magnetoelectric performance and hint for potential applications on technological devices.