Investigation of structural, electrical and thermoelectric properties of cobalt-zinc ferrites/graphene nanocomposite

Abstract

The present work was related to synthesis of graphene (0, 1.25 and 2.5 %) incorporation in cobalt-zinc ferrites by using sol–gel auto combustions method. The face center cubic (FCC) crystal structure and crystallite size varies from 16 to 18 nm was examined by XRD analysis. While as the irregular, non-uniform and flake like surface morphology of cobalt zinc/graphene nanocomposite (Co-Zn-G NCs) were observed via SEM images. In addition, the phase identification and presence of different functional groups such as M−O (metal oxide), OH, C-C, C = O and C = C were investigated by Raman spectroscopy and FTIR analyses. Further, I-V two probe method was used to observed the resistivity decrease (7.5x 108 to 2.5x 106 ohm-cm) and conductivity increased (1.2x10-9 to 3.8x10-7S/cm) of Co-Zn-G NCs. After that the thermoelectric behavior of Co-Zn-G NCs indicated that due to increase the temperature then seebeck coefficient decrease as vice versa. The overall result shows that the 2.5 % graphene incorporation in Co-Zn ferrites expressed the excellent electrical and thermoelectric properties. In future the Co-Zn-G nanocomposite used for the development of temperature sensor, reduce eddy current loss and spintronic devices.