Dielectric, magnetic and electrical properties of ZnFe₂O₄ ceramics

The polycrystalline sample of ZnFe₂O₄ was prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction technique. Preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the compound showed the formation of a single-phase compound at room temperature. Studies of dielectric properties (ε_r, tan δ) of the above compound as a function of frequency in a wide temperature range show dielectric anomalies signifying existence of possible ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition in the material. The confirmation of this assumption was made with observation of ferroelectric hysteresis loop at room temperature. Magnetic measurement exhibits anti-ferromagnetic nature of the sample. Studies of the zero-field cooled and the field-cooled magnetization in dc field provided the blocking temperature T_B. The temperature dependence of electrical parameters (impedance, modulus, conductivity, etc.) of the material exhibits a strong correlation between the microstructure (i.e., bulk, grain boundary, etc.) and electrical parameters of the material. Detailed studies of impedance parameters have provided an insight into the electrical properties and understanding of types of relaxation process in the material. The temperature variation of dc resistivity/conductivity exhibits negative temperature coefficient of resistance behaviour of the material. The frequency dependence of ac conductivity suggests that the material obeys Jonscher’s universal power law.