Structural and Electrical Properties of Ultrafine Li0.43Zn0.195Fe2.37O4 Ferrite Powder Synthesized by a Freeze-Drying Process

Abstract

Zinc-substituted lithium (LiZn) ferrite with the general formula Li_0.43Zn_0.195Fe_2.37O₄ was prepared by using the freeze-drying method. The phase purity, homogeneity, lattice structure, and cell parameters of the prepared samples were carried out using the XRD technique which indicates the formation of a single-phase cubic structure. The dielectric constant (ε') was measured as a function of frequency and temperature by using the two-probe technique. It is found that the dielectric constant decrease continuously with the increase of frequency without any change in the Curie temperature. The electrical conductivity (Lnσ) shows a decrease with increase in frequency for all the samples. The reduction in the dielectric constant at higher frequencies has been explained by the fact that beyond a certain frequency, the electronic exchange between ferrous and ferric ions cannot follow the frequency of the alternating field.