A Double Perovskite BiFeMoO6: Microstructural, Optical, Dielectric and Transport Properties

Abstract

In this communication, the synthesis (solid-state sintering) and characterization of a double perovskite BiFeMoO6 are reported. Analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD) data provides monoclinic crystal symmetry with an average crystallite size of 85.6[Formula: see text]nm and lattice strain of 0.00078, respectively. The microstructural analysis of the sample was done using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the results show that grains are well-grown and distributed uniformly throughout the sample surface. The grains are visible clearly due to well-defined grain boundaries, and the effect on the mechanism of electrical ac conductivity was studied. The compositional purity of the sample was checked by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis spectrum which supports the presence of all constituent elements (Bi, Fe, Mo and O) in both weight and atomic percentages. The study of the Ultraviolet–Visible spectrum provides a bandgap energy of 1.8[Formula: see text]eV, suitable for photovoltaic applications. The measurements of the dielectric were used to confirm the existence of the Maxwell–Wagner type of dispersion. The study of impedance spectroscopy helps to understand the negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) character while the electrical modulus measurements claimed a non-Debye relaxation mechanism in the sample. The study of ac conductivity reveals the fact of thermally activated conduction mechanism in the sample. The presence of the semiconducting nature of the sample was checked from both Nyquist plots and Cole–Cole plots. The study of the resistance versus temperature reveals the fact of negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor character and is suitable for some temperature sensor devices.