Structural and electrical properties of CuLayFe2-yO4 ferrites

Abstract

        Ferrite with the general formula CuLa_yFe_2-yO₄ (where y=0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.1), were prepared by standard ceramic technique. The main cubic spinel structure phase for all samples was confirmed by x-ray diffraction patterns with the appearance of small amount of secondary phases. The lattice parameter results were 8.285-8.348 Å. X-ray density increased with La addition and showed values between 5.5826 – 5.7461gm/cm³. The Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) showed that the average grain size was decreasing with the increase in La concentration. The Hall coefficient was found to be positive. It demonstrates that the majority of charge carriers of p-type, suggesting that the mechanism of conduction is predominantly caused by hopping of holes. The resistivity was noticed to increase with the increase in La substitution. The activation energy E_av decreased with the frequency increase. The AC conductivity was found to increase with the frequency and La addition. Dielectric constant was noticed to decrease with frequency and La addition. The dielectric loss factor decreased with La content because rare earths are known as low dielectric loss materials.