Enhancement of electrical, dielectric and magnetic properties of Cd- and Cu-doped NiO quantum dots for practical applications

In the present work, Ni0.9X0.1O (X = Cd or Cu or Cu + Cd) have been prepared using the chemical precipitation method. X-ray diffraction manifests that the prepared compositions are nanometre-sized with an average size 3–4 nm. The undoped and doped NiO exhibit fcc structure. The dc and ac conductivities of the as-prepared nano-compositions have been executed in the frequency range 50 Hz–5 MHz and in the temperature range 305–435 K. The ac conductivity displays temperature and frequency dependence. The ac conductivity mechanism of the studied compositions was explained via the correlated barrier hopping conduction mechanism. The study of the magnetization property at room temperature shows weak ferromagnetic behaviour. Irradiating the samples by 100 kGy electron beam, it is observed that while a decrease in the magnetic coercivity is accounted for pure and Cd-doped NiO, its value has been increased in Cu and (Cd + Cu) doped NiO.