Electrical conductivity and microcrystalline parameter in Co-Zn ferrites

A series of samples of the system Co1−xZnxFe2O4 (for x = 0·0, 0·2, 0·4, 0·6 and 1·0) were prepared by usual ceramic technique. These prepared samples were examined using X-ray powder pattern, which confirms the presence of a spinel structure. The authors have also carried out line profile analysis of individual Bragg reflections observed in these ferrites, which shows variation in the cell parameter. Further electrical conductivity measurements of these ferrites were carried out as a function of temperature. The observed values of the electrical conductivity have been explained on the basis of Verwey’s hopping mechanism. The activation energy was found to decrease with increasing Zn content. In addition, its variations for varying concentrations of Zn in Co are interpreted in terms of microstructural parameters.