Investigations on structural, electrical and dielectric properties of yttrium substituted Mg-ferrites

Abstract Polycrystalline ferrites with chemical formula MgY 2 x Fe 2−2 x O 4 ( x =0.0 to 0.12) have been fabricated by a double sintering ceramic technique. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Impedance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A slight increase in lattice constant is observed for x =0.02 and thereafter it decreased for higher Y-contents. The increase in lattice constant is attributed to the difference in ionic radii of the cations involved and decrease led to the formation of secondary phase (YFeO 3 ). The substitution of yttrium impedes the grain growth. The resistivity at 298 K was significantly enhanced as the Y 3+ was increased. The FTIR band positions in the range of 370–1100 cm −1 exhibited two main absorption bands. These bands confirmed the completion of solid state reaction. As the Yttrium contents were increased the dielectric parameters were greatly influenced. Both the observed/optimized electrical and dielectric parameters suggested the potential use of the Y-doped MgFe 2 O 4 ferrites in high frequency devices fabrication.