Analysis of structural, dielectric, magnetic and impedance spectroscopy of ZnO/CuFe2O4 nanocomposites

Abstract The nanocomposites of ZnO/CuFe 2 O 4 ; abbreviated as ( ZnO) x /(COF) 1 -x (x; 10 ∼ 50 wt%) were prepared by powder mixing method. The x-ray diffraction pattern revealed the formation of nanocomposites ( NCs ) with inverse spinel structure of COF and hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO . The scanning electron microscope analysis depicts the nano-plates like morphology, non-homogenous mixing and agglomeration of particles. The dielectric properties and impedance spectroscopy of NCPs were measured by LCR meter in the frequency range of 1 kHz to 2 MHz. There is decrease in the real and imaginary parts of dielectric constant (ε′ and ε ″) were observed with frequency, which is explained by Maxwell–Wagner’s polarization mechanism. The real and imaginary parts of impedance ( Z′ and Z″) also show decreasing trend with frequency owing to increase in hopping of charge carriers that result in enhancement of a.c. conductivity ( σ a.c ). The impedance spectroscopy shows a semicircular arc at higher frequency which is attributed to the conduction from grains. Finally, the vibrating sample magnetometer result showed the change in the magnetic nature of NCPs ; as saturation magnetization ( M s ) and coercivity ( H c ) decreases substantially with incorporation of non-magnetic ZnO weight fractions.