Impedance spectroscopy and investigation of conduction mechanism in reduced graphene/CuFe2O4 nanocomposites

CuFe2O4 is synthesized by the co-precipitation method, and the hydrothermal method was used to prepare RGO (4, 8 and 12 wt.% reduced graphene oxide)/CuFe2O4 nanocomposites. The lattice parameter value of copper ferrite either in composite or in pure form was the same. Average grain size is reduced with the RGO concentration from 70 to 30 nm in nanocomposites. Copper ferrite is very well distributed and firmly anchored on the RGO surface. The Raman spectroscopy confirmed the formation of RGO. Dielectric constant (epsilon) and ac conductivity values were high and dielectric tangent loss values were low for 8 and 12% RGO/copper ferrite in the measurable frequency range. The highest value of epsilon is obtained in the 12% RGO/copper ferrite nanocomposite sample and dielectric loss tangent value in the 8% RGO/copper ferrite nanocomposite sample. The experimental impedance data are efficiently simulated by ZView software using an equivalent circuit to extract electrical parameters. It appears that this composite material may find applications in energy storage batteries and microwave absorption devices.

Automated summary

CuFe2O4 was synthesized by the co-precipitation method, and RGO/CuFe2O4 nanocomposites were prepared using the hydrothermal method. The results showed that the reduction in RGO concentration in the composites led to a decrease in the average grain size, while the copper ferrite was well distributed and firmly anchored on the RGO surface. Additionally, in terms of dielectric properties and AC conductivity, composites with certain RGO contents exhibited good performance.