Abstract
The electrical conductivity of some γ-irradiated and unirradiated metal-zinc ferrites, M
0.1Zn
0.9Fe
2O
4 (M ≡ Mn
2+, Co
2+, Ni
2+, Cu
2+ or Mg
2+), was investigated as a function of temperature. The ferrites investigated showed n-type conduction. The electrical conduction in M
0.1Zn
0.9Fe
2O
4 (M ≡ Co
2+, Cu
2+, Mn
2+, or Ni
2+, can be explained by a hopping mechanism, whereas the conduction in ZnFe
2O
4 and Mg
0.1Zn
0.9Fe
2O
4 is interpreted on the basis of the transfer of charge carriers through the cation vacancies present in octahedral sites. The effect of γ-irradiation on the conduction process is discussed.