Study of dielectric behavior and electrical properties of hematite α-Fe2O3 doped with Zn

The effects of Zn-doping on the dielectric behavior and electrical properties of bulk ?-Fe2O3 have been studied. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the presence of two phases in all samples: hematite and spinel ZnFe2O4, with the amount of spinel phase increasing with increasing Zn content. Scanning electron microscopy analysis combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed that the Zn-bearing phase occurred in the form of individual spinel ZnFe2O4 grains in a hematite matrix. DC conductivity was measured in the temperature range 25-225oC (298-498 K). Impedance spectroscopy measurements in the same temperature range were carried out in the frequency range 100Hz to 10 MHz. Increase in the Zn content resulted in increased electrical conductivity and higher values of the dielectric constant. The resistance and capacitance of grains and grain boundaries were analyzed by modeling the experimental results using an equivalent circuit.