AC conductivity and dielectric study of Fe2O3 and SmFeO3 compounds.

Fe₂O₃ and SmFeO₃ were synthesized using a sol–gel method based on Pechini's technique. At ambient temperature, an X-ray powder diffraction indicated that these compounds crystallize in the monoclinic system with Pnma, hexagonal system, and R-3c space group for Fe₂O₃ and SmFeO₃, respectively. As a result, the current study looked into the shape and electrical properties of Fe₂O₃ and SmFeO₃ samples. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy was used to show both substances' morphologies and average particle size. The complex impedance diagram displayed a single semicircle, showing that the response originates with the grains. Thus, an equivalent circuit has been presented to explain the impedance data. Jonscher's power law of frequency was used to study AC conductivity. Then, as a function of inverse temperature, the σ_dc variation supports the presence of two phases for both compounds, where a distinct conduction mechanism ensures conductivity. On the other hand, the dielectric investigation verifies the transformation of the Fe₂O₃ compound at T = 565 K and the start of the ferroelectric transition for the SmFeO₃ compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]