Inter-atomic bonding and dielectric polarization in Gd3+ incorporated Co-Zn ferrite nanoparticles

A series of ferrite with a chemical composition Co0.7Zn0.3GdxFe2−xO4 (where x=0.0 to x=0.1) were prepared by sol-gel auto-combustion method. X-ray diffraction pattern were used to determine the crystal structure and phase formation of the prepared samples. Scanning electron microscopy is used to study the surface morphology of the prepared samples. Elastic properties were determined from the infrared spectroscopy. Debye temperature, wave velocities, elastic constants found to increase with the increase in Gd3+ substitution. Dielectric properties such as dielectric constant and dielectric loss were studied as a function of Gd3+ substitution and frequency. Dielectric constant decreased with the increase in frequency and Gd3+ substitution. Behavior of dielectric properties was explained on the basis of Maxwell-Wagner interfacial polarization which in accordance with Koops phenomenological theory. Real and imaginary part of impedance was studied as a function of resistance and Gd3+ substitution. The behavior of impedance is systematically discussed on the basis of resistance-capacitance circuit.