Radiation-induced structural and electric properties of Al-substituted NiCuCd nanoparticles

Nanoparticles of Ni0.5Cu0.2Cd0.3Fe2−xAlxO4 are synthesized by the method of sol–gel. The required amount of samples was then irradiated with different gamma doses (1 Mrad and 3 Mrad) at room temperature from a 64 kCi cylindrical 60Co source with 1.067 Mrad per hour dose rate. Gamma exposure within room temperature affects the structural as well as electrical properties. Dielectric properties, X-ray diffraction, and impedance properties were analyzed after a suitable process of γ irradiation. The outcomes of XRD show an increase caused by irradiation in the lattice constant for the formation of the Fe2+ by the damage of radiation. In addition, the redistribution of cation plays a remarkable role to increase the values of ac conductivity of every sample as the radiation dose increase. The frequency-dependent dielectric constant, ac conductivity, and dielectric loss tangent enhance the properties due to irradiation. The Cole–Cole plots illustrate two overlapping incomplete semicircles which are analyzed to obtain fitted data by equivalent (RC) circuits. Remarkable reduction in grain–grain boundary resistances observed in experimental and theoretical as well due to dominant Fe2+ formation after irradiation. These analyses have special priority in radioactive field applications (for example, nuclear facilities) as the performance of ferrites has been evaluated in these for electrical components. By the implementation of a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer with a 1.5 T (in µ0H) applied field at room temperature, the magnetization is measured after gamma irradiation. The saturation magnetization initially increases after irradiation. On the other hand, irradiated nanoferrite’s magnetic behavior was characterized by the technique of LAS.