Nanostructured Rare Earth Nd3+doped Nickel–Zinc–Bismuth Spinel Ferrites: Structural, Electrical and Dielectric Studies

Abstract

A series of rare earth neodymium (Nd3+) doped Ni–Zn–Bi nanoferrites of composition Ni0.5Zn0.5Bi0.04NdxFe1.96-xO4 (x = 0.002, 0.004, 0.006, 0.008, 0.010) has been synthesized by a citrate precursor technique. Structural, morphological, electrical, and dielectric characterizations have been undertaken. X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed cubic spinel ferrite structure of the prepared nanoferrites with crystallite size in the range of 25–30 nm. From the Hall-Williamson graphs, a tensile strain has been noticed due to an expansion of lattice with an increase in Nd composition. The octahedral and tetrahedral modes of vibrations were confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) peaks at wavenumber 590 cm−1and 403 cm−1. The D.C. resistivity performance of the nanoferrites was found in the range of 1010 Ω cm calculated from the current-voltage plot. Dielectric studies were undertaken at room temperature in the frequency range from 10 kHz to 10 MHz. The dielectric behaviour of the prepared samples reveals that the real part increases from 4.85 to 13.67 and imaginary values rise from 0.49 to 4.46 at 105 Hz. The dielectric loss tangent value decreases from 0.34 to 0.15 with the change in Nd ion concentration. The AC conductivity rises from 2.18 × 10−6 to 2.39 × 10−5 S/cm at 105 Hz. These lower values of loss tangent in Nd doped Ni–Zn–Bi nanoferrites materials are useful in deflection yoke and high-frequency applications.