Synthesis and electrical properties of Y₂O₃: Dy³⁺ & Eu³⁺ nanoparticles

Abstract

Yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃) doped with Dy³⁺ & Eu³⁺ nanoparticle has been synthesized by solution combustion method. The formation of the compounds has been checked by X-ray diffraction method. The crystallite/particle size has been measured using Scherrer formula as well as by transmission electron microscopy which show that the size of the particles are in the nanorange. The frequency and temperature dependent variation of impedance Z*, dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″) and AC conductivity (σ) of Y₂O₃: Dy³⁺ & Eu³⁺ nanoparticles were also measured. The real and imaginary part of complex impedance makes semicircle in the complex plane. The center of semicircle arc is found to be shifted toward higher value of real part of impedance with increasing temperature. This indicates that the conductivity of the material increases with the increase in temperature. Cole–Cole plots demonstrate that the dielectric relaxation process occurs in the material. The AC conductivity (σ _AC) increases with the increase in temperature within the frequency range of 10³–10⁷ Hz confirming the hopping of the electrons in the conduction process. The value of impedance decreases sharply with increasing frequency and attains minimum value after 10⁵ Hz at all temperatures.