Dielectric behavior and ac electrical conductivity in samarium substituted Mg-Ni ferrites

Samarium substituted MgNi ferrites with composition Mg1-xNixFe2-ySmyO4 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0; y = 0.0, 0.05, 0.1) have been prepared by ceramic method. Dielectric measurements of the samples have been carried out at room temperature as a function of frequency and composition. X-ray diffraction patterns have confirmed the single-phase spinel cubic structure for all the samples. Dielectric constant (epsilon ') and dielectric loss (tan delta) decrease while ac electrical conductivity (sigma(ac)) increases with increase in frequency. Dielectric properties have been explained on the basis of Maxwell-Wagner's two layer model. The conduction mechanism in these ferrites is due to electron hopping between Ni2+ and Ni3+ as well as Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions on octahedral sites. Dielectric constant and ac conductivity increases and decreases respectively with nickel content. A significant reduction in the values of dielectric constant and ac electrical conductivity has been observed in Sm3+ ions substituted samples.