Effects of γ-irradiation on AC electrical and impedance spectroscopy of Ni-Zn nano ferrites

Herein we report the effect of gamma-irradiation on the structural and AC electrical properties of Ni-Zn nanoparticles Ni1-xZnxFe2O4 (0 <= x <= 1) synthesised via the citrate auto-combustion technique. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the samples revealed a decreasing trend of the crystallite size with increasing concentration of Zn2+ ions, and -irradiation alters the crystallite size for more Ni2+ ion concentrations. The lattice constant was found to increase with Zn2+ concentration, with the highest for x = 0.6. However, after irradiation, substantial change occurs. The lattice strain is greater for x = 1 as well as lower for x = 0.4. The observable modifications in the morphology of the samples upon irradiation are identified. The AC-electrical behaviour of the sample was studied before and after 7-irradiation in the frequency range of 1 MHz-23 MHz. Studies show that the dielectric constant increases on irradiation, whereas the dielectric loss and AC conductivity decline after irradiation. The dielectric relaxation changes from non-Debye to Havriliak-Negami relaxation, which is the significance of asymmetric broadness in the relaxation process. The collective AC electrical properties were signifies the radiation absorption response.

Automated summary

In this study, the effect of gamma-irradiation on the structural and AC electrical properties of Ni-Zn nanoparticles was investigated. XRD analysis showed a decrease in crystallite size with increasing Zn2+ ion concentration, and irradiation influenced the crystallite size. The lattice constant increased with Zn2+ concentration, but changes occurred after irradiation. Irradiation also affected the lattice strain and morphology of the samples. In terms of AC electrical properties, irradiation increased the dielectric constant but decreased the dielectric loss and AC conductivity, and the type of dielectric relaxation changed.