Metal-insulator transition in ZnO nanopowder during thermal cycling by impedance spectroscopy

We have investigated the electrical response on the pellet of ZnO nanopowder by impedance spectroscopy. Different trends of impedance plane plots have been discussed due to the modulations of relaxation time with temperatures. Thermal cycling induces irreversible changes in the resistance of the material which has been explained by incorporating the role of extended defects like oxidation of Zn interstitials at surfaces and intrinsic/extrinsic grain boundaries. Metal-insulator transition has been reported and discussed in term of combined effects of Zn interstitials and oxygen vacancies. Irreversible increase in the values of dielectric constant have been conferred with thermal cycling's. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3431298]