Variable Dielectric and Ferroelectric Properties in Size-Controlled Cobalt Ferrite

Abstract

The nano-form of cobalt ferrite (CoFe 2 O 4 ) is fascinating for fabrication of nano-magnets and miniaturized electronic devices. A comparative structural, dielectric, and ferroelectric study of size-controlled cobalt ferrite has been reported. The nanoparticles of cobalt ferrite (CFNP) were prepared via sol-gel method and subsequent heat treatments. With the altering of reaction reactants and temperature, the size has been varied from 10 to 80 nm. The XRD studies confirm the variation of size in CFNPs. The frequency variation of dielectric permittivity of CFNP display dependence of crystallite size. The thermal variation of dielectric constant indicates the presence of relaxation phenomena. The P-E ferroelectric hysteresis loop measurements display enhanced ferroelectricity in CFNP with improved properties.