Anomalous dielectric and AC conductivity behavior of the nanocrystalline Ni-Cu ferrite synthesized via combustion method

Nanocrystalline Ni-Cu ferrites (Ni0.5Cu0.5Fe2O4) were prepared using solution combustion method. The structure of the samples were studied with the X-ray diffraction (XRD) using Cu-Kα radiation. Frequency and temperature dependence of dielectric and a.c. conductivity studies have been undertaken on the Ni-Cu nanoferrites in the frequency region 100Hz-5MHz. The dielectric constant (e′) is found to decrease initially with the frequency and finally reaching a constant value at higher frequencies. Observed trends in the dielectric constant are ascribed to the Maxwell-Wagner type interfacial polarization, which is in agreement with the Koop'fs phenomenological theory. The a.c. conductivity (σac) is found to increase with an increase in the frequency from room temperature up to 300 °C. However, at a temperature of 400 °C, the a.c. conductivity is found to decrease with an increase in the frequency exhibiting an abnormal behavior. The electrical conduction mechanism in the present nano nickel-copper ferrite is f...