Analysis of structural, dielectric, magnetic and impedance spectroscopy of ZnO/CuFe2O4 nanocomposites

Abstract

The nanocomposites of ZnO/CuFe 2 O 4; abbreviated as (ZnO) x /(COF) 1-x (x; 10 ∼ 50 wt%) were prepared by powder mixing method. The x-ray diffraction pattern revealed the formation of nanocomposites (NCs) with inverse spinel structure of COF and hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO. The scanning electron microscope analysis depicts the nano-plates like morphology, non-homogenous mixing and agglomeration of particles. The dielectric properties and impedance spectroscopy of NCPs were measured by LCR meter in the frequency range of 1 kHz to 2 MHz. There is decrease in the real and imaginary parts of dielectric constant (ε′ and ε″) were observed with frequency, which is explained by Maxwell–Wagner’s polarization mechanism. The real and imaginary parts of impedance (Z′ and Z″) also show decreasing trend with frequency owing to increase in hopping of charge carriers that result in enhancement of a.c. conductivity (σ a.c ). The impedance spectroscopy shows a semicircular arc at higher frequency which is attributed to the conduction from grains. Finally, the vibrating sample magnetometer result showed the change in the magnetic nature of NCPs; as saturation magnetization (M s ) and coercivity (H c ) decreases substantially with incorporation of non-magnetic ZnO weight fractions.