Synthesis, Characterization and Dielectric Behavior of Polyaniline/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 Nanocomposites

A conducting polymer, polyaniline (PANI)/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanocomposites were synthesized by a simple and inexpensive one-step in-situ polymerization of Aniline monomer with Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles, where Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles were prepared via simple solution combustion method using stoichiometric composition of nickel nitrate, zinc nitrate and ferric nitrates as oxidizers and urea as a fuel. PANI/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and Thermal gravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). Frequency dependence of dielectric constant (epsilon'), dielectric loss tangent (tan delta) and a. c. conductivity (sac) studies have been undertaken on the PANI/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanocomposites in the frequency range 100 Hz-5MHz at room temperature. Dielectric properties such as dielectric constant (epsilon') and dielectric loss tangent (tan delta) are found to decrease with the increase in the frequency. Further, a. c. conductivity (sigma(ac)) of the PANI/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanocomposites was found to increase with an increase in the frequency. Observed variation in the a. c. conductivity with the frequency has been understood on the basis of electron hopping model.