Versatile power and energy conversion of magnetoelectric composite materials with high efficiency via electromechanical resonance

Abstract A better understanding of magnetoelectric (ME) energy materials with superior properties stimulates exploration of next generation of versatile energy devices with a high efficiency. Although a number of investigations have focused on developing multiferroic composite materials because of their potential in cutting-edge multifunctional devices, advances in basic research have not yet been translated into benefits for practical applications. In the present investigation, we introduce a two-phase magnetoelectric composite made of nanocrystalline FeBSi metallic ribbons (Metglas) and Mn3+,2+ acceptor doped Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PMN-PZT) single crystal, and great enhancements in ME coupling coefficient (αME ~12500 V/Oe cm) with a tunable resonance frequency, current-to-voltage (I–V) conversion ratio (~15090 V/I), as well as power conversion efficiency (η ~95%) are found at the fundamental electromechanical resonance, which represent the highest values ever reported. This study also provides a fundamental understanding of the role of a figure of merit (FOM), kij,eff × Qm,eff, on ME coupling performances in ferromagnetic and ferroelectric two-phase ME composite. The enhanced performances are attributed to the laser heat treatment induced Nano crystallization in Metglas, lower magnetic and dielectric loss (tan δ), and also higher mechanical quality factor (Qm,eff) in ME composite. This research opens up the possibilities of developing ME composite materials for next-generation versatile energy and power conversion devices.