Fe-Induced Modulation of Structural, AC Conductivity and Dielectric Properties of ZnO Nanostructures

Abstract: Fe-modified ZnO nanopowders were synthesized by a conventional co-precipitation route and investigated with emphasis on their crystal structure, dielectric response and AC electrical conductivity. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements showed the characteristic reflections of hexagonal wurtzite ZnO for the Zn0.92Fe0.08 O (Fe/ZnO- 400) samples, with no additional crystalline reflections. Structural parameters obtained from the XRD analysis showed that the Zn0.92Fe0.08 O (Fe/ZnO-400) samples exhibited a crystallite size of approximately 38.5 nm. The corresponding interplanar spacing and unit-cell volume were calculated as 2.690 nm and 57.44 ų, respectively. To examine the electrical response of the Fe-modified ZnO samples, dielectric and AC conductivity measurements were carried out over a frequency range extending from 10 Hz to 5 MHz.

Keywords: ZnO; Fe doping; co-precipitation; X-ray diffraction; dielectric constant; AC conductivity.