Enhanced electrical and magnetic properties of CuO/MgO nanocomposites

The present work deals with the synthesis, characterization, and testing of copper oxide (CuO)/magnesium oxide (MgO) nanocomposites formed with two different ratios. The composites formed by the sol-gel synthesis route were thoroughly characterized for physicochemical properties like powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), dielectric, and magnetic behavior. From the powdered XRD analysis, the synthesized composites were found to be associated with high crystallinity, where the monoclinic phase was noted for the cupric oxide while the cubic phase for magnesium oxide, in addition to the measurement of crystallite sizes by Scherer formula. The FESEM and FTIR analysis provided the surface morphology and functional groups present at the surface of CuO/MgO nano composite. Further, the nanocomposite's dielectric behavior and impedance properties were studied in the frequency range of 100 Hz-5 MHz at different temperatures (308-563 K). The complex impedance spectra show the negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behavior of synthesized nanocomposites and further it is confirmed with electric modulus spectra. The AC conductivity increases with increasing frequency which obeys the Jonscher's universal power law sigma(AC)(omega) = A omega(s), the values of frequency exponent (s) > 1, indicates that the motion involves the localization or reorientation hopping and is assisted by a large polaronic mechanism among the neighboring sites. Finally, the studies of magnetic behavior by making use of a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) indicated the presence of a small hysteresis loop for the CuO/MgO nanocomposite at room temperature.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and testing of CuO/MgO nanocomposites with different ratios. Physicochemical properties including crystallinity, surface morphology, dielectric behavior, and magnetic behavior were thoroughly analyzed. The synthesized composites showed high crystallinity and negative temperature coefficient of resistance behavior, as well as specific AC conductivity with increasing frequency and small hysteresis loop at room temperature for the CuO/MgO nanocomposite.