Microstructure evolution, dielectric relaxation and scaling behavior of Dy-for-Fe substituted Ni-nanoferrites

Abstract

Dy-substituted nickel nanoferrites have been investigated in order to explore the possibility of Dy-for-Fe substitution in nickel ferrites, as well as the effect of the substitution on the microstructural and electrical properties. The samples were prepared by a simple citrate nitrate auto-ignition method. Rietveld analysis of the X-ray diffraction profiles confirmed the Dy-for-Fe substitution in this spinel ferrite. A slight increase in lattice parameter and microstrain due to incorporation of Dy is observed. The transmission electron microscopy also confirmed the high crystallinity of the prepared samples. It has been found that the doped samples show ionic conductivity 1 to 2 orders greater than that of the undoped sample at a particular temperature. In addition, the doped sample shows lower dielectric loss than the undoped sample. The frequency dependence of the dielectric permittivity has been analyzed using the Havriliak–Negami formalism. The time-temperature superposition principle has been established by the scaling of different spectra.