Synthesis, structural, electrical and dielectric properties of Zn–Zr doped strontium hexaferrite nanoparticles

Zinc-Zirconium doped Strontium hexaferrite SrZn_xZr_xFe_12−2xO₁₉ (where x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) have been successfully synthesized via sol–gel auto combustion technique. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by thermo gravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The X-ray powder diffraction results showed that the sample was single phase with the space group of P6₃/mmc. The lattice constant ‘a’ almost remains constant while ‘c’ increases as Zn–Zr concentration ‘x’ increases. The crystallite size obtained from XRD data is in the range of 36–47 nm. The average grain size as determined by SEM was found in the range of 40–90 nm. EDS analysis showed that the composition obtained is near stoichiometric. D.C. electrical resistivity measurements were carried out within the temperature range of 300–923 K. It is observed that the resistivity decreases whereas the drift mobility increases as Zn–Zr content ‘x’ increases. The activation energy is found to decrease with the concentration ‘x’. Dielectric measurements were carried out within the frequency range of 50 Hz–5 MHz. It is found that dielectric constant (ε′) and dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) both increases as the Zn–Zr concentration ‘x’ increases. Moreover, the structural, morphological, electrical and dielectric properties of Sr–M ferrite powders were strongly depend upon the synthesis condition.