Zr-substituted cobalt oxide nanoparticles: structural, magnetic and electrical properties

In the present communication, the effect of Zr substitutions in cobalt oxide (ZrxCo3−xO4, where x = 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5) nanoparticles over their structural, magnetic and electric properties have been investigated. The nanoparticles were produced by single step microwave refluxing method. The crystallite size was found to be diminishing with increased Zr concentration. All the samples displayed weak ferromagnetic behavior. The continuous decrease of MS value of Co3O4 nanoparticles was noticed upon an increase in the Zr substitutions. AC conductivity and dielectric measurements were carried out in the frequency ranging from 10 kHz to 20 MHz. The samples with the highest zirconium concentration, i.e. x = 0.5 have shown relatively moderate conduction as well as dielectric properties.