Structural and electrical properties of ZnCo2O4 spinel synthesized by sol-gel combustion method

In this present study, we have discussed about the synthesis of spinel type ZnCo2O4 by sol-gel combustion method using glycine as a chelating agent. Structural and morphological verifications are carried out using XRD, SEM and the functional group confirmation by using FT-IR. The temperature dependent dielectric relaxation and conduction mechanism have been analyzed by using dielectric measurements, impedance spectroscopy and electric modulus studies in the frequency range of 50 Hz to 5 MHz between the temperatures 303 K and 593 K. Influence of oxygen vacancy on the behaviour of dielectric relaxation is due to the hopping mechanism between Co2+ and Co3+ sites due to the structural defect in the material. XPS measurement confirms the different oxidation state in Co-site and the existence of oxygen vacancy in the material. The conductivity of the material is studied with Jonscher Power law.