Electrical conductivity of magnesium ferrite prepared by sol-gel auto combustion technique

Abstract

Magnesium ferrite (MgFe2O4) powder has been synthesized by sol-gel auto combustion method using DL-alanine fuel. The obtained as-burnt powder was annealed at different temperatures in the range 600 to 1300 °C for 4 hrs. Phase pure powders are obtained at an optimum temperature of 900 °C, and the residual carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen content in the inorganic MgFe2O4 are found to be low. Highly resistive MgFe2O4 ceramics are obtained by sintering at 1200 °C, and are found to exhibit semiconducting behavior as analyzed from the frequency and temperature dependent ac conductivity.