The effects of interface misfit strain and surface tension on magnetoelectric effects in layered magnetostrictive-piezoelectric composites

A nonlinear model is proposed to study low-frequency magnetoelectric (ME) effects in layered magnetostrictive-piezoelectric composites, taking into account the effects of interface misfit strain and surface stress. As a specific case, L-T mode of Terfenol-D/lead zirconate titanate (PZT) composites is investigated. The results show that flexural deformation can suppress the ME voltage coefficient, especially for elevated Terfenol-D volume fraction. Interface misfit strain demonstrates a notable impact on the ME voltage coefficient, and this strain-mediated ME effect is intensified with increasing interface misfit strain. Owing to residual surface tension, the ME voltage coefficient is found to be size-dependent when the thickness of Terfenol-D/PZT layered composite reduces to the nanoscale. In addition, substrate effect on ME voltage coefficients is evaluated.