Abstract
Antimony (Sb3+) doped nickel ferrites have been synthesized by hydrothermal route using an autoclave at 160 C-a similar to for 12 hours. Pure spinel phase NiSb (x) Fe2-x O-4 (x=0.0 to 0.1) with step increment of 0.035 has been prepared by sintering the precursor samples at 500 C-a similar to. Structural studies have been performed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Lattice parameter and X-ray density found to increase with increase in the antimony concentration. Average crystallite size lies in the range of 14 to 24 nm +/- 2 nm. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) have been used to characterize the morphology and sizes of nanoparticles. Electrical properties were analyzed by measuring DC-electrical resistivity, complex dielectric permittivity, AC conductivity and complex electrical modulus analysis. DC resistivity of nickel ferrites decreases due to the substitution of antimony from 6.7x10(8) to 3.4x10(7) Omega-cm. Dielectric permittivity and losses were studied in the frequency range of 20 Hz-5 MHz and found to increase due to addition of Sb3+ in nickel nanoferrites at room temperature. High dielectric permittivity and conductivity made this material a compatible option for single-layered and multilayered chip inductors.