Structural and dielectric studies of MgAl2O4–TiO2 composites for energy storage applications

Abstract

Nanostructured MgAl2O4 and TiO2 were successfully synthesized in phase pure form using well know co-precipitation method. The composites of MgAl2O4 with various concentrations of TiO2 (5 %, 10 %, 20 %, and 50 %) were prepared by vertexing technique. The pure crystal phase of both TiO2 and MgAl2O4 have hexagonal and spinel crystal structures, respectively as confirmed from x-rays diffraction analysis. The sheet-like morphology with some agglomeration was shown for pure MgAl2O4 and spherical for TiO2 with clear boundaries are obtained from FESEM micrographs. Energy dispersive x-rays confirmed the presence of expected elements in corresponding percentages in all compositions. These compositions present enhanced ferroelectric and dielectric responses in synthesized composite materials. The improvement in saturation polarization Ps, electric-remanence polarization Pr, and the electric-coercivity Ec parameters confirm that these can be used as a good dielectric medium and can consider highly efficient material for energy storage device applications.