Influence of Zn doping on structural, optical and dielectric properties of LaFeO₃

The effect of Zn doping on structural, optical and dielectric properties of nano-crystalline LaFe_1−xZn_xO₃ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) samples have been investigated. These samples are synthesized using conventional solid state reaction route. X-ray diffraction patterns with Rietveld analysis confirm the single phase nature of samples. Further, the sample formation has been confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. All the samples are formed in orthorhombic crystal symmetry with Pbnm space group. The average crystallite sizes, calculated from the Scherer's formula, lie in the range below 50 nm. Rietveld refinement technique is used to determine lattice parameters, bond lengths and unit cell volume. Williamson-Hall analysis has been performed to calculate the crystallite size and lattice strain. Crystallite sizes are found to be of nanometer range while the strain is of the order of 10⁻³. Zn doping leads to the expansion of volume due to the tensile strain. Optical bandgap has been determined from Kubelka-Munk function using Tauc's relation. Zinc doping in LaFeO₃ leads to decrease in optical bandgap. Dielectric constant as a function of frequency is measured in the frequency range of 75 kHz–5 MHz. The dielectric behavior has been investigated by analyzing 'universal dielectric response' (UDR) model. The dielectric constant (ε′) shows colossal value with Zn doping in the whole frequency range. However, the imaginary part (ε″) shows relaxational behavior which may be attributed to the strong correlation that exists between conduction mechanism and dielectric behavior in ferrites. Cole-Cole analysis has been done that confirms the dielectric material does not follow the ideal Debye theory but shows distribution of relaxation times. The a.c conductivity increases with frequency and with Zn doping due to the increased polaron hopping. (paper)