Electrical Properties of Ni-Zn Ferrite Nanoparticles Prepared by Simplified Sol-Gel Method

Abstract

Ferrites have become the source of attention for scientists due to their variety of physical properties. Their massive use in the electronics industry has made the study of their dielectric, thermal, and optical properties unavoidable. These materials have potential applications in high-frequency devices. The empirical formula for the synthesized nanoparticles is given by Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄. Nanoferrites were prepared by a simplified sol-gel method. The crystalline phase; crystallite size; surface morphology; dielectric properties such as AC conductivity (σ _AC), dielectric constant $(\epsilon ^{\prime })$, and dielectric loss (tan δ) as a function of frequency at different temperatures; and DC electrical resistivity as a function of temperature were studied. The Ni-Zn nanoferrite was sintered at 550 ^∘C. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed a spinel cubic structure having a lattice constant a=8.383 Å and crystallite size of 12 nm for the (311) peak after sintering. Scanning electron microscopy showed the particle morphology of the samples. AC conductivity (σ _AC) increases with frequency as well as the temperature. DC resistivity decreased with increase in temperature. The observed behavior could be explained by the Maxwell-Wagner model. Parameters observed were correlated to understand the conduction mechanism.