Exploring the Room-Temperature Ferromagnetism and Temperature-Dependent Dielectric Properties of Sr/Ni-Doped LaFeO3 Nanoparticles Synthesized by Reverse Micelle Method

This paper reports the thermal, microstructural, dielectric and magnetic properties of La0.75Sr0.25Fe0.65Ni0.35O3 nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized via reverse micelle technique. The thermogravimetric analysis of as-prepared NPs confirmed a good thermal stability of the sample. Powder x-ray diffraction data analyzed with a Rietveld refinement technique revealed single-phase and orthorhombic distorted perovskite crystal structure of the NPs having Pbnm space group. The transmission electron microscopy images show the crystalline nature and formation of nanostructures with a fairly uniform distribution of particles throughout the sample. Temperature-dependent dielectric properties of the NPs in accordance with the Kramers–Kronig transformation (KKT) model, universal dielectric response model and jump relaxation model have been discussed. Electrode or interface polarization is likely the cause of the observed dielectric behavior. Due to grain boundaries and Schottky barriers of the metallic electrodes of semiconductors, the depletion region is observed, which gives rise to Maxwell–Wagner relaxation and hence high dielectric constants. Magnetic studies revealed the ferromagnetic nature of the prepared NPs upon Sr and Ni doping in LaFeO3 perovskite at room temperature. Therefore, these NPs could be a potential candidate as electrode material in solid oxide fuel cells.