Structural and complex impedance properties of Zn2+ substituted nickel ferrite prepared via low-temperature citrate gel auto-combustion method

We report the productive synthesis of nanocrystalline zinc substituted mixed ferrite (Ni1-xZnxFe2O4 (0 <= x <= 1)) particles via low-temperature citrate gel auto-combustion method. The structure and microstructure of the particles, elemental analysis, and complex impedance properties are carried out by PXRD, FESEM, EDS and impedance spectroscopy respectively. The increased lattice parameters with Zn2+ concentrations suggest the substitution of Zn2+ ions to Ni2+. Dielectric constant, dielectric loss and AC conductivity were studied as a function of frequency infer a significant alteration in the dielectric constant, dielectric loss and A.C. conductivity and also showed that zinc substituted ferrites possess low tangent loss (ae 10(-2)) at high frequencies. Further, the impedance spectroscopic studies reveal that Zn2+ substituted (x = 0.2, 0.8 and 1) samples attain non-Debye type dielectric relaxation.