Studies on the synthesis and characterization of co-precipitated nanocrystalline Zn–Pb–O

• Zinc lead oxide nanopowders are synthesized by co-precipitation method.
• Effect of sintering temperature on structure, dielectric and electrical properties.
• Conduction mechanism by complex impedance measurements.

Zinc lead oxide (Zn2PbO4) nanopowders were synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method using zinc nitrate and lead nitrate precursors in 2:1 proportion by carefully controlling the preparative parameters. Ammonium hydroxide was used to precipitate Zn2+ and Pb4+ cations simultaneously. X-ray diffraction study of prepared samples indicates both orthorhombic and tetragonal phase formation of Zn2PbO4. The microstructural features are examined by scanning electron microscopy. Frequency dependent dielectric constant (ε′) shows the usual dispersion behavior, while linear variation of AC conductivity (σAC) with frequency confirms the conduction due to small polaron. The DC resistivity decreases with increase in temperature indicating semiconducting behavior of samples. To understand the conduction mechanism, complex impedance measurements are carried out.