The Co1−xZnxCr2O4 [x = 0.0, 0.1] chromite system: A study of structural and frequency dependent room temperature dielectric properties

In this study, we have used the conventional solid-state route to synthesized spinel chromite ceramic, viz., Co1−xZnxCr2O4 [x = 0.0, 0.1]. As cobalt chromite (CoCr2O4) samples belong to type II multiferroic, they have potential applications and have attracted the interest of researchers. In present study, the effective synthesis of spinel chromites and the studies of crystal structure with dielectric properties reported. To emphasize their structural properties, we used the XRD technique to confirm the crystal structure of the samples. The X- ray diffraction pattern confirms the formation of face centred spinel cubic structure (Fd-3m). Dielectric properties were observed at room temperature with respect to increase in frequencies. The dielectric study clearly indicates that the dielectric constant is enhanced as the doping of Zn ion content increases. A small increase in the value of dielectric loss is also noticed with the Zn ion doping. The ac conductivity also enhanced with the applied frequencies. It has been observed that ac conductivity for the Zn ion doped sample is having higher values as compared to the CoCr2O4 sample. It is interesting to study the conduction mechanism and the effect of Zn doping on CoCr2O4 sample. The result clearly indicates that with the doping of non-magnetic Zn ion there is a noticeable improvement observed in the dielectric properties.