Structural and dielectric properties of copper-based spinel ferrites

In the present research work, structural, electric and dielectric properties of copper-based spinel ferrites with the general formula CuPryFe2-yO4 (y = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10) were studied. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that at low concentrations of rare-earth ions, all the prepared spinel ferrites have a cubic spinel structure, while the secondary phase appears at y = 0.06. The lattice constant a decreased with substitution of rare-earth ions. DC conductivity of the prepared spinel ferrites decreased with the substitution of rare-earth ions. Dielectric properties were studied as a function of frequency. The impedance analysis explains the role of grains and grain boundary in the frequency range 1 MHz to 3 GHz. The low value of DC conductivity and dielectric loss make these samples suitable for high-frequency applications.