Structural and complex impedance spectroscopic studies of Mg-substituted CoFe2O4

In this work, we present the effect of Mg substitution on the structural and impedance spectroscopic characteristics of Co1−xMgxFe2O4 (x=0.0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.0) samples, prepared by sol-gel auto-combustion method. As-burnt and fluffy powder samples were grinded and subsequently calcined at 600 °C for 6 h to change single phase cubic spinel structure, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The data obtained from diffraction was also utilized to perform Rietveld's refinement which provided detailed information on the structural changes occurred during the substitution. Frequency and temperature dependent electrical, and impedance studies were performed using an impedance analyzer in a wide frequency and temperature range. The behavior of characteristic dielectric parameters has been investigated using Maxwell-Wagner's model and Koop's theory. The impedance plot was used to define electro-active regions of the prepared samples, useful in modelling an equivalent circuit for each region. Frequency dependent Nyquist plot revealed the effect of grain, grain boundaries and electrode effect. Samples exhibited distinct grain and grain boundary contributions to the conductivity. Temperature dependent electrical characterization revealed that samples had negative temperature coefficient of resistance. The binding energies at different temperatures have also been estimated.