Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2014) 129: 173
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/i2014-14173-4

Regular Article

Structure, electric properties and positron annihilation studies of CuZnFe₂O₄ doped with BaTiO₃

¹ Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
² Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt
³ Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Taif University, Taif, P.O. Box 888, 21974, Saudi Arabia

^* e-mail: omhemeda@yahoo.co.uk

Received: 14 May 2014
Revised: 21 June 2014
Accepted: 9 July 2014
Published online: 18 August 2014

Abstract

Composite materials of spinel CuZnFe₂O₄ ferrite (CZF) and barium titanate BaTiO₃ (BT) were prepared by using the high-energy ball milling technique. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the composite system confirmed the composite preparation with two piezomagnetic and piezoelectric phases. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) measurements show a nearly homogeneous microstructure with good dispersion of BT grains as well as the presence of some pores. The positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) is used to probe the defects and structural changes of the BT-CZF composites. The PAL parameters ( , I₁, , I₂ and mean lifetime) show that the doped BT content affects the size and concentration of the vacant type defects.