Magnetic and dielectric studies of nanocrystalline zinc substituted Cu-Mn ferrites

Ferrites with the general formula Cu1−xZnxFeMnO4 (where 0≤x≤1) were prepared through a citrate gel auto-combustion route. Structural characterizations carried out by X-ray diffraction reveal that the lattice constant increases with increase in zinc content. Transmission electron microscopic measurements confirm the nanoscale nature of the particles. Room temperature saturation magnetization was measured as a function of zinc concentration. The saturation magnetization increases up to x=0.25 and then decreases as zinc concentration increases. Dielectric permittivity, dielectric loss tangent, ac conductivity and complex dielectric impedance were studied in the frequency range 20 Hz-1 MHz. The results indicated a usual dielectric dispersion due to the Maxwell-Wagner type of interfacial polarization. Dielectric loss showed similar behavior as dielectric permittivity. The ac conductivity increased linearly with frequency. Complex impedance spectroscopic studies confirmed that conduction in the samples is via grain boundaries. In general, substitution of zinc plays an important role in changing the structural, electrical and magnetic properties of these ferrites.