Transport properties in spinel ferrite/graphene oxide nanocomposites for electromagnetic shielding

Abstract

Herein, (Co0.5Ni0.5)Cr0.3Fe1.7O4/graphene oxide nanocomposites were fabricated by ultrasonication technique, using pure spinel ferrite and graphene oxide synthesized by sol-gel method and modified Hummers' method, respectively. The effect of graphene incorporation with ferrite nanoparticles was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrical and dielectric measurements. XRD analysis revealed the spinel phase for the ferrite sample and confirmed the formation of graphene oxide. The crystallite size was found in the range of 37−43 nm and the porosity increased with the increase in the concentration of graphene oxide in the composites. The DC electrical resistivity of spinel ferrite was found equal to 3.83×109 Ω.cm and it substantially decreased with the increase in the percentage of graphene oxide at room temperature. The real and imaginary part of relative permittivity followed the Maxwell-Wagner type of interfacial polarization. AC conductivity confirmed the conduction by hopping mechanism and increased on increasing the GO content. The coupling of magnetic ferrite with graphene oxide tunes the magneto-electrical properties for potential applications at high frequencies.