Impedance Spectroscopy and Study of Electrical Properties of Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)_1-xFe_xO_3-x (0≤x≤0.20) Ceramics

Abstract

Iron substituted Lead zirconate titanate nanoparticles Pb (Zr0.52Ti0.48) 1-x FexO3-x (PZTFx) (for (x=0.00, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20) was prepared using the sol-gel route in the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) region. The X-ray diffraction data revealed the formation of both rhombohedral and tetragonal structures. The microstructural properties of the compounds were examined through the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. The impedance spectroscopy and conductivity spectroscopy were carried out over a wide range of temperatures (RT–400°C) and frequencies (100 Hz–2 MHz) to investigate the grain and grain boundary effect on the electrical properties of PZTFx. The complex impedance analysis data have been presented in the Nyquist plot which is used to identify the corresponding equivalent circuit and fundamental circuit parameters. Cole– Cole plots indicate Debye-type dielectric relaxation and the grain boundaries resistance is dominant at room temperature. The Nyquist plot showed the negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) character of PZTFx ceramics. The dielectric properties of (PZTFx) ceramics as a function of temperature are studied and displayed a resonance phenomenon for all samples. Temperature-dependent conductivity behavior indicated an Arrhenius type of thermally activated process in the low-temperature region. Activation energy has been calculated from the temperature-dependent DC electrical conductivity measurements for all the samples.