Yttrium doping induced modifications in the electrical properties of cobalt zinc ferrite

Yttrium doped cobalt zinc nano-ferrites Co0.8Zn0.2Fe2-xYxO4 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03) were synthesized through the combustion method. For the formation and confirmation of single phase cubic spinel structure, X-ray diffraction is used. The average grain sizes from the Scherrer formula were below 50 nm. Microstructural features were obtained by scanning electron microscope. Electrical properties, such as dc resistivity as a function of temperature and ac conductivity as a function of frequency were studied for these samples. Room temperature dielectric constant (epsilon ') and dielectric loss (tan delta) are also studied as a function of frequency. The differentiation of dielectric properties epsilon ', tan delta, and ac conductivity (sigma ac) with frequency imparts that the dispersion is because of Maxwell-Wagner type of interfacial polarization in general and the hopping of charge between Fe2+ and Fe3+ as well as Co2+ and Co3+ ions at B-sites. Electrical property study showed its dependence on the grain size.