Conductivity and Dielectric Studies on Combustion Derived Self-Doped Ceria Nanoparticles

A series of Ce4+ (0-25 mol%) doped ceria nanoparticles were prepared by low temperature combustion process using the fuel oxalyldihydrazide (ODH). Crystallographic information, formation of phase and micro structural details of prepared samples was obtained by using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) technique, Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR) spectroscope and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) technique respectively. The size (10–30 nm) of self-doped ceria nanoparticles are evaluated by transmission electron microscope (TEM). PXRD studies confirm the fluorite structure of nanoceria with JCPDS card No. 034-0394. Conductivity and dielectric studies for self-doped ceria nanoparticles were performed in the applied frequency from 20 Hz to10 MHz and at different temperatures (200-560 °C). The temperature and frequency dependence of the conductivity and dielectric properties of prepared samples showed major effect of the dopant concentration. Dielectric constant and tangent loss of prepared samples decreased sharply with increasing frequency.