New Nd-doped lead zirconate Pb_1−1.5xNd_xZrO₃ nanocrystals: Fabrication via wet chemical route for electrical and dielectric parameters evaluation

Pb_1−1.5xNd_xZrO₃ nanocrystalline powder (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05) have been synthesized by co-precipitation technique. The prepared samples were annealed at temperature 700 °C for 3 h. The structural, dielectric and DC-electrical behavior of the Pb_1−1.5xNd_xZrO₃ nanoparticles was evaluated using the X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dielectric analysis and current–voltage (I–V) characteristics. XRD analysis confirmed the formation of orthorhombic perovskite structure and the crystallite size estimated was 47.80–102.62 nm. The crystallite size and lattice parameters showed a nonlinear behavior. The FTIR spectra were recorded in the range 500–4000 cm⁻¹ that explained the intrinsic cation vibrations of the characteristic orthorhombic perovskite structure. The dielectric parameters were studied in the frequency range of 1 × 10⁶ Hz to 3 × 10⁹ Hz. In the dielectric parameters, a damping effect was observed by the substitutions of Pb with Nd ions in the higher frequency region. The dominating effect of doping on dielectric properties suggests that these nanomaterials are useful in the fabrication of high frequency and memory devices. DC-electrical measurements showed the increased resistivity as the Nd³⁺ content was increased. The minimum resistivity was observed for 2.3547 × 10⁹ Ω-cm for PbZrO₃ nanoparticles, while Pb_0.925Nd_0.05ZrO₃ nanoparticles showed the maximum resistivity 1.2283 × 10¹⁰ Ω-cm. This fivefold increase in DC-resistivity strongly supports the fabrication of high frequency devices. - Graphical abstract: New Pb_1−1.5xNd_xZrO₃ nanocrystals having crystallite size 45–100 nm prepared by wet chemical route exhibited the fivefold increase in dc-electrical resistivity (2.3547 × 10⁹ Ω-cm to 1.2283 × 10¹⁰ Ω-cm) that strongly suggest the potential used of Pb_1−1.5xNd_xZrO₃ nanocrystals in microwave devices. - Highlights: • New Pb_1−1.5xNd_xZrO₃ nanocrystals with size 45–100 nm were prepared. • Pb_0.925Nd_0.05ZrO₃ nanoparticles showed maximum resistivity 1.2283 × 10¹⁰ Ω-cm. • Fivefold increase in resistivity was observed by Nd-doping in PbZrO₃