Impact of Zinc Substitution on AC Conductivity Behaviors of Hexagonal Ba-Ni Ferrite Nanoparticle

Abstract

The influence of composition on electrical conductivity (σac) as a function of temperature and frequency is investigated for BaNi2-xZnxFe16O27 nanoparticle ferrite with the variation of zinc concentration (x = 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, 1.6 and 2) synthesized by the conventional ceramic process. With an increase in zinc content from 0.0 to 2 at the selected frequency, AC conductivity (σac) decreases. AC conductivity results specify the hopping conduction mechanisms in the studied temperature range. The electrical conductivity (σac) properties as a function of frequency (100 KHz to 1KHz) within the temperature range (293–486 K) have been investigated. The ac conductivity shows both temperature and frequency dependence, with a relatively stronger dependence in the lower and higher frequency ranges, respectively. Also, the results of ac conductivity show a dispersion with frequency. The dispersion decreases as the temperature increases. The universal power law is observed in this dispersion. The dispersion of ac conductivity was explained based on Koop's model. Also, it is found that σac() obeys Jonscher's universal power law, σac() = As with s < 1. The results have been analyzed with reference to various theoretical models. The correlated barrier hopping model (CBH) process is found to be the dominant conduction mechanism for charge carrier transport within the investigated temperature range. The experimental result demonstrates that AC conductivity Ϭac) also increases with increasing frequency.