The effect of yttrium and indium doping on the structure and electrical properties of zinc-ferrite nanoparticles

Abstract

© (2007) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland. Yttrium- and indium-doped zinc-ferrite nanoparticles were prepared by a coprecipitation method. The influence of doping level on the structure and the conductivity of the samples obtained was investigated. It was found that Y-doped zinc-ferrite nanoparticles, with a single spinel phase and a size of a few nanometers, are formed in the whole range of yttrium concentration. However, In-doped zinc-ferrite nanoparticles were formed for all investigated indium cooncentrations, but only the samples InxZn1-xFe2O4 with x.≤ 0.15 are single-phase (for x ≥ 0.20 a second phase - cubic In(OH)3, is formed). The decrease and increase of the electrical conductivity with yttrium and indium doping respectively are explained by taking into consideration the different role of these ions in the spinel structure and the electron hopping mechanism.