Increase In Dc Conductivity Research Articles

Impact of fly-ash (silica) on amorphous phase formation ain NaNO3-Sr(NO3)2 composite solid electrolytes

In the current research, various weight percentages of flyash were incorporated into a mixed system of 85.32% NaNO3 and 14.68% Sr(NO3)2. The system was analyzed using the studies of conductivity, dielectric and electric modulus. An increase in DC conductivity was observed with the addition of flyash, peaking at 10% by weight. Beyond this concentration, the conductivity began to decrease. This increase in conductivity is attributed to the formation of an amorphous phase within the mixed sytem. XRD, FTIR, SEM, and DSC analyses of the flyash dispersed systems indicated the formation of an amorphous phase. The amorphous phase may be due to the surface interaction between fly-ash(silica)and phase of mixed system. The AC conductivity, which depends on frequency, adheres to universal power law. Power law parameter were determined.

New Series of Hydrogen-Bonded Liquid Crystal with High Birefringence and Conductivity.

Liquid crystals with high dielectric anisotropy, low operational thresholds, and significant birefringence (Δn) represent a key focus in soft matter research. This work introduces a novel series of hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals (HBLCs) derived from 4-n-alkoxybenzoic, 4-alkoxy-3-fluorobenzoic derivatives (nOBAF), 4-alkoxy-2,3-fluorobenzoic derivatives (nOBAFF), and 2-fluoro-4-nitrobenzoic acid. The HBLCs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and their thermal behavior was evaluated via differential scanning calorimetry. Optical observations were conducted using polarized optical microscopy. The results indicate that mixtures containing benzoic acid with a bilateral fluorine substituent exhibit both SmA and SmC phases, while those with a unilateral fluorine substituent exhibit nematic and SmA phases. Moreover, an increase in the length of the alkoxy chain results in an expanded mesophase temperature range. This study demonstrates that the presence of a fluorine substituent and the incorporation of an NO2 group in the molecular structure result in an increase in dielectric permittivity, DC conductivity, dielectric anisotropy, and birefringence.

Role of Fe supplantation in tailoring structural, electrical conductivity, and magnetic properties in La2Ni1-xFexMnO6 double perovskites

Double perovskite system La2Ni1-xFexMnO6 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8 & 1.0) were developed using sol-gel method. Rietveld refinement revealed monoclinic structure (ordered) along with occurrence of rhombohedral and orthorhombic structures suggesting antisite cationic disorder. Crystallite size and average grain size of samples varied between 454 and 1058 Å and 0.774–1.429 μm respectively. XPS revealed the dual oxidation states of Ni, Fe, and Mn ions. La2NiMnO6 attained the highest DC conductivity among all compositions. The increase in DC conductivity with temperature suggested the semiconducting behavior of the samples, that explained by Thermal Activation (TA) and Variable Range Hopping (VRH) conduction mechanisms. Obtained activation energy(Edc) showed increasing trend with temperature. M-H loops exhibit a ferromagnetic nature accompanied by antiferromagnetic interactions as suggested by exchange bias and partially saturated loops. La2NiMnO6 attained the highest saturation magnetization (29.81emu/g) and decreased with Fe supplantation. The possible mechanism of tuning conductivity and magnetic properties of La2Ni1-xFexMnO6 has been discussed in detail.

Enhancing electrical properties through in-situ controlled nanocrystallization of V2O5–TeO2 glass

V2O5–TeO2 glass–ceramics (VTGC) were prepared by controlled annealing of the V2O5–TeO2 glass (VTG), which illustrates a parent glass matrix with a single charge carrier. The annealing proceeded at six temperatures selected between the glass transition and the maximum of the first crystallization process to obtain various nanocrystallite sizes. Heat treatment caused an increase in DC conductivity by 2.5–3.5 (250–285 °C) order of magnitude. Using thermal analysis, the crystal growth process was determined to be 1D. Structural studies show that the obtained materials are partially amorphous and polycrystalline with nanometer-sized crystallites. Subtle thread-like structures were observed using conductive AFM. The activation energy of the conduction process decreased from 0.38 eV in VTG to 0.18–0.11 eV (250–285 °C) in VTGC. The radii of crystallites were calculated based on the theoretical model of electron hopping between connected semiconducting nanocrystallites and vary between 1.7 and 2.8 nm (250–285 °C). Thermoelectric studies indicate constant carrier concentration. Features characteristic of small polaron hopping-governed materials were observed. We suggest V3O7 nanocrystals as conductive media in VTGC.Graphical abstract

Low-temperature growth of narrow optical gap highly conducting nc-Ge thin films with superior crystallinity involving dominant orientation

The nc-Ge thin films are grown at a moderately low temperature (∼220 °C) in rf PECVD via optimizing the GeH4 plasma with H2-dilution, within 97.5 ≤ D(H2)(%) ≤ 99.5. At elevated D(H2), while the bonded H-content in the matrix reduces, the film's crystallinity and dc conductivity increase. However, the optical band gap widens for 97.5 ≤ D(H2)(%) ≤ 98.5, via the elevated quantum confinement effect from the increased number of Ge-ncs of dimension below Bohr radius. Conversely, for D(H2) ≥ 98.5%, switching in the quantum effect in larger-sized Ge-ncs induces the band gap narrowing. Significantly reduced ultra-nanocrystalline-Ge (unc-Ge) component occupying the grain boundary zone, minimizes the contribution of grain-boundary defects. However, the persistent amorphous Ge matrix becomes highly defective and less dense, and those induce enhanced O-absorption from the ambient in the dominant Ge-Ox (x < 2) configuration. On increased crystallinity, the activation energies of dipole relaxation (ΔEτ) and resistance (ΔE) in the impedance data reduce dominantly in the a-Ge component than its nc-Ge counterpart, which occurs identically for the dc conductivity when the amorphous component in the matrix sharply disappears at increased D(H2) > 98.5%. A narrow band gap (∼0.90 eV), conducting (σd ∼3.0 ×10−2 S cm−1), and photosensitive nc-Ge network, involving dominant <111>-oriented Ge-ncs (∼35.2 nm) of enriched volume fraction (XC ∼90.2%), obtained at D(H2) ∼99.5%, seems extremely useful for need-based applications as a narrow band gap absorber layer in the bottom sub-cell of flexible high-efficiency cost-effective multijunction thin film solar cells.

Nanocarbon/Co3O4/Epoxy Composites for Microwave Shielding and Absorption

The epoxy composite materials (CMs) with a random distribution of nanosized Co3O4 and carbon nanoparticles (graphite nanoplatelets GNP and carbon nanotubes CNT) are fabricated. Complex permittivity, permeability, and shielding properties of composite materials with 30 wt% of Co3O4 and (2–5) wt% of nanocarbon are measured in the frequency range of 1–67 GHz using the transmission–reflection method. A significant increase of microwave permittivity and presence of several peaks on the dependencies of the imaginary part of permittivity on the frequency are found for three‐phase nanocarbon/Co3O4/epoxy CMs. The observed microwave shielding efficiency of three‐phase epoxy composites is enhanced compared to two‐phase nanocarbon–epoxy composites. Such enhancement of shielding efficiency correlates with the increase of DC conductivity of these three‐phase composites. The measured complex permittivity and permeability spectra for nanocarbon/Co3O4/epoxy CMs are used for modeling the reflection loss for studied composites. It is shown that the most preferable for microwave absorption is the composites containing 2 wt% of nanocarbon filler for a sample thickness of 0.5–0.7 mm. The highest reflection loss = 30 dB with an absorption bandwidth of 15 GHz is found for epoxy composite filled with 2 wt% of GNP and 30 wt% of Co3O4 for a sample thickness of 0.5 mm.

Debye Temperature Evaluation for Secondary Battery Cathode of α-SnxFe1-xOOH Nanoparticles Derived from the 57Fe- and 119Sn-Mössbauer Spectra.

Debye temperatures of α-SnxFe1-xOOH nanoparticles (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20, abbreviated as Sn100x NPs) prepared by hydrothermal reaction were estimated with 57Fe- and 119Sn-Mössbauer spectra measured by varying the temperature from 20 to 300 K. Electrical properties were studied by solid-state impedance spectroscopy (SS-IS). Together, the charge-discharge capacity of Li- and Na-ion batteries containing Sn100x NPs as a cathode were evaluated. 57Fe-Mössbauer spectra of Sn10, Sn15, and Sn20 measured at 300 K showed only one doublet due to the superparamagnetic doublet, while the doublet decomposed into a sextet due to goethite at the temperature below 50 K for Sn 10, 200 K for Sn15, and 100 K for Sn20. These results suggest that Sn10, Sn15 and Sn20 had smaller particles than Sn0. On the other hand, 20 K 119Sn-Mössbauer spectra of Sn15 were composed of a paramagnetic doublet with an isomer shift (δ) of 0.24 mm s-1 and quadrupole splitting (∆) of 3.52 mm s-1. These values were larger than those of Sn10 (δ: 0.08 mm s-1, ∆: 0.00 mm s-1) and Sn20 (δ: 0.10 mm s-1, ∆: 0.00 mm s-1), suggesting that the SnIV-O chemical bond is shorter and the distortion of octahedral SnO6 is larger in Sn15 than in Sn10 and Sn20 due to the increase in the covalency and polarization of the SnIV-O chemical bond. Debye temperatures determined from 57Fe-Mössbauer spectra measured at the low temperature were 210 K, 228 K, and 250 K for Sn10, Sn15, and Sn20, while that of α-Fe2O3 was 324 K. Similarly, the Debye temperature of 199, 251, and 269 K for Sn10, Sn15, and Sn20 were estimated from the temperature-dependent 119Sn-Mössbauer spectra, which were significantly smaller than that of BaSnO3 (=658 K) and SnO2 (=382 K). These results suggest that Fe and Sn are a weakly bound lattice in goethite NPs with low crystallinity. Modification of NPs and addition of Sn has a positive effect, resulting in an increase in DC conductivity of almost 5 orders of magnitude, from a σDC value of 9.37 × 10-7 (Ω cm)-1 for pure goethite Sn (Sn0) up to DC plateau for samples containing 0.15 and 0.20 Sn (Sn15 and Sn20) with a DC value of ~4 × 10-7 (Ω cm)-1 @423 K. This non-linear conductivity pattern and levelling at a higher Sn content suggests that structural modifications have a notable impact on electron transport, which is primarily governed by the thermally activated via three-dimensional hopping of small polarons (SPH). Measurements of SIB performance, including the Sn100x cathode under a current density of 50 mA g-1, showed initial capacities of 81 and 85 mAh g-1 for Sn0 and Sn15, which were larger than the others. The large initial capacities were measured at a current density of 5 mA g-1 found at 170 and 182 mAh g-1 for Sn15 and Sn20, respectively. It is concluded that tin-goethite NPs are an excellent material for a secondary battery cathode and that Sn15 is the best cathode among the studied Sn100x NPs.

Raman spectroscopy and electrical properties of polypyrrole doped dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid/Y2O3 composites

The doped dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) with polypyrrole (PPy) and also incorporated an increasing concentration of Y2O3 to obtain the composites of PPy-DBSA-Y2O3 via chemical polymerization technique. The PPy-DBSA-Y2O3 composites formation were confirmed by interaction between PPy-DBSA and Y2O3-particles utilizing Raman spectroscopy. Thermal stability of PPy-DBSA- Y2O3 composites was improved as enhanced the load of Y2O3-particles. The increase in DC conductivity by mixing Y2O3 into PPy-DBSA at all temperatures showed the three-dimensional Mott’s variable range hopping model. Density of localized states, hopping dimension as well as activation energy are computed and found to be affected due to the presence of Y2O3 in DBSA-PPy. The ESR of Y2O3 (~12 Ω), PPy (~11.80 Ω), PPy-DBSA (~11.30 Ω) and PPy-DBSA-8%Y2O3 composite (~9.50 Ω). EIS results confirm that the PPy-DBSA-8% Y2O3 composite with a low value of impedance gives a maximum value of electrical conductivity.

Study on the direct current properties of ultraviolet crosslinked epdm rubber

Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) is widely used as an insulation material in power equipment due to its excellent insulation performance. This article studies the method of preparing EPDM rubber composites by UV cross-linking. It analyzes three traditional functional auxiliary cross-linking agents, namely allyl isocyanurate (TAIC), trimethylolpropane trimethyl Effects of methyl acrylate (TMPTMA), and N, N′-m-phenylene bismaleimide (N, N′) on the DC properties of EPDM rubber. Experimental results show that all three auxiliary cross-linking agents can effectively improve the DC conductivity of EPDM, and (N, N′) are the most effective. Thermal stimulation current (TSC) results show that the addition of N, N′ makes the traps of EPDM shallower. Based on density functional theory (DFT), the electrostatic potential of N, N’ molecules is calculated. The increase in DC conductivity of EPDM is because the N, N′ molecules have larger conjugated electron areas, forming a larger conductive area within the molecules, which is conducive to charge carrier transport.

Enhanced dielectric and magnetic properties of magnetodielectric La2−xPrxCoMnO6 for spintronic applications

La2−xPrxCoMnO6 (x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0) double perovskites were prepared via sol gel method. X-ray diffraction peak profile inveterate the nonexistence of impurity phases in the prepared system. Rietveld refinement suggested that ordered monoclinic (P21/n) phase exist along with disordered orthorhombic (Pbnm) and rhombohedral (R3c) structural phases. A decrease in unit cell volume and lattice parameters is observed with increase in Pr content which is in agreement with the difference in ionic radii of La and Pr ions. Morphological and compositional study using FESEM with EDX suggested that grain size lies in micrometer range and signifies the purity of developed samples. Dielectric constant as well as tangent loss exhibit dispersive behavior at lower frequencies and higher temperatures. The strong effect of bond angle, anti-site disorder and grain size is observed on dielectric properties. Due to large bond angle and large antisite disorder, LPCMO2 exhibited largest value of dielectric constant among all developed compositions. Cole-Cole plots proposed a non-Debye type relaxation and indicated NTCR (negative temperature coefficient of resistance) behavior for the synthesized compositions. Ac conductivity showed increasing tendency with rise in both frequency as well as temperature. Increase in dc conductivity with temperature proposed semiconducting behavior of prepared samples that can be explained on the basis of Thermal activation (TA) and Variable range hopping (VRH) models. The saturation magnetization (Ms) showed a strong correlation with bond angle, tilting of CoO6/MnO6 octahedra and grain size i.e. LPCMO2 is having largest Ms whereas lowest Ms is exhibited by LPCMO3 which may be due to variation in exchange interaction which strictly depends on bond angle and tilting of MO6 octahedra. Enhanced magnetic properties make these materials useful for spintronic devices and magnetic storage. Dielectric and magnetic properties of the prepared samples depend strongly on ˂Co-O-Mn˃ bond angle and have same variation tendency with Pr substitution which indicates coupling between these properties.

Development of a new quantum trajectory molecular dynamics framework.

An extension to the wave packet description of quantum plasmas is presented, where the wave packet can be elongated in arbitrary directions. A generalized Ewald summation is constructed for the wave packet models accounting for long-range Coulomb interactions and fermionic effects are approximated by purpose-built Pauli potentials, self-consistent with the wave packets used. We demonstrate its numerical implementation with good parallel support and close to linear scaling in particle number, used for comparisons with the more common wave packet employing isotropic states. Ground state and thermal properties are compared between the models with differences occurring primarily in the electronic subsystem. Especially, the electrical conductivity of dense hydrogen is investigated where a 15% increase in DC conductivity can be seen in our wave packet model compared with other models. This article is part of the theme issue 'Dynamic and transient processes in warm dense matter'.

Field and temperature assisted DC/AC conduction measurements of PS/ZnO nanocomposite films

Electrical, optical and morphological properties of polymer nanocomposite materials are quite interesting to investigate due to their innovative characteristics and applications. Temperature dependent dc conductivity using different charge transport mechanisms like ionic hopping, Schottky and Poole-Frankel emissions has been investigated for pristine PS and PS/ZnO (at different wt% of ZnO) nanocomposite films in this research report. Non-ohmic conduction behaviour of these films developed an interest to carry out bulk and electrode limited conduction mechanisms. Ionic jump distance ‘a’ and conduction coefficient ‘βexp’ values for these films were calculated at various temperatures from the slopes of log I vs E and log I vs E1/2 plots respectively. The increase in dc conductivity of an order of 108 was observed by increasing the doping concentration up to 20 wt% of ZnO. The change in their ac conductivity was observed from 10−9 S/m to 10−6 S/m by varying the frequency from 1 to 300 kHz.

Synthesis, optimized geometry, optical, electronic, electrical, stability and Z scan analysis of tetra-aqua-bis (p-toluene Sulphonate)-Calcium (PTC) single crystal

The tetra-aqua-bis (p-toluene sulphonate)-calcium (PTC) single crystals are prepared by slow evaporation technique and the triclinic system with centrosymmetric space group (P1) is corroborated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Optimized molecular geometry inferred that the overall structure of PTC comprises a hydrogen bonded network. The most abundant H⋯H interaction (44.2%) in PTC influences the stabilization of the packing in the crystal structure. The presence of water molecules, CH3 and SO3 groups in grown crystals are manifested by FTIR vibrational analysis. The high optical activity of PTC was ensured by the linear optical parameters such as bandgap energy, refractive index, extinction coefficient, optical conductivity, electrical conductivity and Urbach energy. The excitation and emission behavior of PTC was obtained by photoluminescence analysis. The high thermal stability of PTC is lucubrated by thermal analysis. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the material was analyzed for various frequencies and an increase in DC conductivity of PTC suggests the semiconducting behavior of the material while heating. The work hardening coefficient and the other mechanical parameters were quantified using mechanical analysis. The remarkable thermal and mechanical stability suggests the specific application of PTC in device fabrications. The self-defocusing effect of PTC was studied by Z Scan analysis.

Investigation on Crystal-Structure, Thermal and Electrical Properties of PVDF Nanocomposites with Cobalt Oxide and Functionalized Multi-Wall-Carbon-Nanotubes.

Nanocomposites of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with dimensional (1D) cobalt oxide (Co3O4) and f-MWCNTs were prepared successfully by the solution casting method. The impact of 1D Co3O4 filler and 1D Co3O4/f-MWCNTs co-fillers on the structural, thermal, and electrical behavior of PVDF were studied. The crystal structural properties of pure PVDF and its nanocomposite films were studied by XRD, which revealed a significant enhancement of β-phase PVDF in the resulting nanocomposite films. The increase in β-phase was further revealed by the FTIR spectroscopic analysis of the samples. TG, DTA, and DSC analyses confirmed an increase in thermal stability of PVDF with the addition of nano-fillers as well as their increasing wt.%. From impedance spectroscopic studies, it was found that the DC conductivity of PVDF increases insignificantly initially (up to 0.1 wt.% of nano-fillers addition), but a significant improvement in DC conductivity was found at higher concentrations of the nano-fillers. Furthermore, it was observed that the DC conductivity decreases with frequency. The increase in DC conductivity corresponded to the strong interactions of nano-fillers with PVDF polymer chains.

Effect of Milling of ZnO and MgO Powders On Structural, Optical, and Electrical Properties of (Mg,Zn)O Ceramics

The effect of the milling of virgin ZnO and MgO powders on structural, optical, and electrical properties of Mg0.2Zn0.8O ceramics is studied. In all Mg0.2Zn0.8O ceramics, both cubic and hexagonal phases of solid solution are formed simultaneously. The hexagonal phase is represented by densely sintered grains that are doped with magnesium homogeneously. The crystallites of cubic phase of solid solution turn out to appear in large pores. The infrared reflection spectra show that the milling of intial powders does not affect free carrier concentration in hexagonal grains. It is found to be close to that of ZnO being determined by Zn interstials. For ceramics sintered from virgin powders, a decrease of direct current conductivity of Mg0.2Zn0.8O in comparison with that of pure ZnO occurres, which is being caused by the appearance of barriers, the nature of which may be ascribed to the fluctuations in the bandgap and/or electron concentration. For ceramics sintered from milled powders, an increase in DC conductivity of all samples is found and attributed to the formation of conductive channels along the grain boundaries via their enrichment in Zn and Mg due to mechanical stress. A chemical mapping of the ceramics supports this effect.

Ion dynamics in a highly compressed solution of tetra-ethylammonium – tetra-fluoroborate salt in propylene carbonate: A study in the equilibrium and glassy states

Electrical conductivity of a solution of (Et4N+,BF4−) in propylene carbonate is measured by varying the pressure and temperature along different thermodynamic paths: pressure is increased from a low value in the liquid state up to ̴ 3.6 GPa well above the glass-transition pressure PG, along isotherms at temperatures between ̴ 295 K and ̴ 326 K. Up to a crossover pressure Pcross ̴ 1 GPa, the dc-conductivity decreases and obeys the Walden rule. Above Pcross, an anomalous pressure-dependence of the conductivity spectra is observed, leading to an increase in dc-conductivity up to PG. The dc-conductivity obeys density scaling, showing in the glassy state an exponential decrease against the scaling variable, independently of the thermobaric history of the sample. The conductivity spectra obey the time-temperature-pressure-superposition principle, therefore, the ion dynamics is not affected by the transition from the liquid state to the non-ergodic glassy state.

Governing mechanism of ion transport in lithium-iron-phosphate glasses

We show a fundamental relationship between network structural attributes and ionic transport of lithium iron phosphate glasses xLi2O–2Fe2O3–3 P2O5 (xLFPO; x = 0.375, 0.75, 1.5, 3.0) used for a cathode in lithium-ion batteries. The glass samples have been synthesized using a solid-state reaction method. We have investigated the electrical characteristics of the glass by combinational measurements of electrical impedance in the frequency 100 Hz – 30 MHz and temperature from ambient to 240 °C, differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction pattern, and Raman spectroscopy. The ionic hopping and relaxation processes in xLFPO glasses are analyzed by using Cole-Cole, power law, and modulus representations. We reveal that the exponential increase in dc conductivity with increasing Li2O in xLFPO glasses is caused by the combination of an increase in non-bridging oxygen sites and a change in the bonding forces of iron valence surrounding the iron phosphate clusters inside the network. The power law conductivity, which is driven by the fractional Rayleigh equation, exhibits that the rate of increase in dc ionic conductivity is the same as the rate of increasing numbers of the ionic charge carriers. Raman spectra show that the increase of depolymerization of the iron phosphate network with the addition of Li2O content is due to the conversion of Q2 to Q1 and Q0 species.

Growth, optical, thermal, electrical, mechanical, and antibacterial activity of hexa aqua nickel bis (P-toluene sulfonate) (HNPS) single crystal

The conventional slow evaporation technique is used in the growth of semi-organic single crystals of Hexa aqua nickel bis (P-toluene sulfonate) (HNPS) and the monoclinic system with centrosymmetric space group (P21/n) is corroborated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. FTIR vibrational analysis inferred the presence of water molecules CH3 and SO3 groups in grown HNPS crystals. Linear optical parameters explored by UV–Visible spectral analyses ensures the high optical activity of HNPS. The green light emission of HNPS was attributed to Photoluminescence analysis. Thermal analysis encapsulates the thermal stability of HNPS crystals up to 590 °C. The dielectric nature of the material was analyzed for various frequencies at room temperature and an increase in DC conductivity of HNPS suggests the semiconducting behavior of the material while heating. The work hardening coefficient is quantified as 3.7 using mechanical analysis. The thermal and mechanical stability suggests the specific application of HPNS in device fabrications. The synthesized HNPS was tested against two gram-positive bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and two gram-negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and showed higher significant antibacterial activity against the pathogen.

Eco-friendly polymer composite films based on waste polyvinyl chloride/sunflower seed cake for antimicrobial and antistatic applications

Purpose This study aims to get rid of non-degradable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waste as well as sunflower seed cake (SSC) waste by preparing eco-friendly composites from both in different proportions to reach good mechanical and insulating properties for antimicrobial and antistatic applications. Design/methodology/approach Eco-friendly composite films based on waste polyvinylchloride (WPVC) and SSC of concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 Wt.%) were prepared using solution casting method. Further, the effect of sunflower seed oil (SSO) on the biophysical properties of the prepared composites is also investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope, mechanical, thermal, dielectric properties were assessed. Besides, the antimicrobial and biodegradation tests were also studied. Findings The crystallinity increases by rising SSC concentration as revealed by XRD results. Additionally, the permittivity (ε′) increases by increasing SSC filler and SSO as well. A remarkable increase in dc conductivity was attained after the addition of SSO. While raw WPVC has very low bacterial activity. The composite films are found to be very effective against staphylococcus epidermidis, staphylococcus aureus bacteria and against candida albicans as well. On the other hand, the weight loss of WPVC increases by adding of SSC and SSO, as disclosed by biodegradation studies. Originality/value The study aims to reach the optimum method for safe and beneficial disposal of PVC waste as well as SSC for antistatic and antimicrobial application.

Structural, magnetic, and electrical evaluations of rare earth Gd3+ doped in mixed Co–Mn spinel ferrite nanoparticles

The controlled and stable crystal structure, reduction in Curie temperature and semiconducting nature of oxide materials are the key factors for magnetoelectrical applications. Therefore, Co 0.6 Mn 0.4 Gd x Fe 2-x O 4 where x = 0, 0.033, 0.066 and 0.10 were synthesized to analyse the structural, morphological, magnetic, and electrical properties using a sol-gel autocombustion approach. The X-ray diffraction pattern reveals that the cubic crystallite size decreases with increasing smaller content of Gd 3+ oxides without any secondary phase. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) study explain the complete morphology, agglomeration and dense structure of rare earth-doped Gd oxide in the mixed Co–Mn spinel ferrite nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectra confirms the formation of a spinel structure with absorption bands below 1000 cm −1 . The magnetic analysis shows that the saturation magnetization (59.20 emu/g - 49.71 emu/g) and coercivity (985.21 Oe – 254.11 Oe) of the synthesized samples decreased with increasing content of Gd 3+ ions. The increase in DC conductivity with increasing temperature verifies the semiconducting nature of the synthesized samples, and a higher DC conductivity of the Co 0.6 Mn 0.4 Gd 0.10 Fe 1.90 O 4 (CMGF3) samples was observed at approximately 0.0362 S/cm at 973 K temperature.