Magnetoelectric (ME) coupling in layered structures of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric phases are mediated by mechanical deformation and depends strongly on the interface conditions. Ni-lead zirconium titanate-Ni trilayers with neither electrodes nor bonding layers have been derived by electroless deposition. The structure of the electroless deposited Ni layer was characterized by X-ray diffraction. The cross-section of the Ni/PZT layers was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The value of ME voltage coefficient (αE,31) increases as the interface roughness increases. The maximum of αE,31 for the Ni/PZT/Ni trilayers polarized after electroless deposition is higher than that for the Ni/PZT/Ni trilayers polarized before electroless deposition. It is essential to optimize the interface and the polarization to obtain higher ME voltage coefficient.
