Dielectric Behavior and AC Conductivity of Mg²⁺ Doped Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles Synthesized by Sol-Gel Technique

Abstract

Magnesium doped zinc ferrite Zn_1−xMg_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00) was prepared by sol-gel technique. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed single cubic spinel structure with crystallite size ranging from 18 nm to 8 nm. Elemental analysis using XRF confirmed the purity of the samples. The lattice parameter was found to decrease with magnesium content. The observed dielectric behaviour is explained on the basis of Maxwell-Wagner two layer models. Variation of AC conductivity suggests conduction due to small polaron hopping. Both AC conductivity and dielectric constant increases with increases in temperature.

Keywords:

• Zinc ferrite; sol-gel synthesis dielectric constant; AC conductivity

Acknowledgment

The authors are thankful to SAIF–CUSAT, CIF Pondicherry University for providing facilities for measurements.