Dielectric and frequency-dependent transport properties of lanthanum-doped bismuth ferrite

Abstract

Polycrystalline samples of Bi1-xLaxFeO3 [x=0.5, 0.6, 0.7 and 0.8] were synthesized through high temperature solid state reaction method. The structural studies of the compounds were done using X-ray diffraction technique. Dielectric constant and dielectric loss were studied for various frequencies (100Hz-104Hz) at different temperatures. The temperature-dependent non-Debye type relaxation process was suggested in the materials from the analysis of frequency-dependent electrical data at different temperatures. Temperature dependence of dc and ac conductivity at various frequencies showed negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behavior. The frequency dependence of ac conductivity at different temperatures obeyed Jonscher's universal power law. The temperature dependence of dc and ac conductivity was fitted to Arrhenius equation. The activation energies at different temperature ranges were calculated to know the charge species involved in the conduction process.