Effect of Eu3+ ions on electrical and dielectric properties of barium hexaferrites prepared by solution combustion method

Abstract This paper reports the electrical conduction behaviour of Eu3+ substituted barium hexaferrites (BaM) prepared via solution combustion method. The structural analysis confirms formation of hexagonal phase of the prepared samples with a space group p63/mmc (No. 194). The SEM micrographs show that the prepared sample has hexagonal plate like structure. Dielectric constant, dielectric loss and AC conductivity of the prepared samples were calculated over a wide frequency range from 102 Hz to 105 Hz at different temperatures. The temperature dependent dielectric studies were also performed over a temperature range of 30 °C –200 °C . The non –Debye dielectric nature of the prepared samples and presence of electrical relaxation phenomenon were confirmed from the complex impedance spectroscopy. Electrical modulus analysis confirms that there is negligible electrode effect in prepared the samples. From the frequency dependent AC conductivity studies, we find that the AC conductivity values are constant in the lower frequency region and shift towards the higher value in the higher frequency region, which indicates that the prepared samples follow the Almond-West power law. The AC conductivity values decrease gradually with increase in the concentration of Eu3+ ions increases. The dielectric studies show that by doping of Eu3+ ions, the dielectric constant increases. So the prepared materials can be applicable for microwave devices applications.