STRUCTURAL AND THERMOELECTRIC POWER STUDIES OF Sm3+-SUBSTITUTED Li-Ni-SPINEL FERRITE

Nanocrystalline spinel ferrite with chemical composition Li0.15Ni0.5Sm0.1Fe2.15O4 was prepared using co-precipitation method and investigated under different annealing temperatures from 800 degrees C to 1200 degrees C for 6 hours. Structural analysis was done by employing the following techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The XRD patterns and IR spectra confirmed biphase except at 1100 degrees C. The average crystallite size calculated using the Scherer formula was in the range of 21.3-55.2 nm. An increase in the crystallite size was observed with increase of annealing temperature. The images of scanning electron microscope revealed the grain size which was in consistent with the X-ray diffraction results. Differential method was used to investigate the thermoelectric power studies of synthesized ferrites at room temperature. The seebeck coefficient (alpha) was found 4.2 x 10(-6) V/K which indicated its p-type semiconductor behavior.