Mechanism of ac conduction in nanostructured manganese zinc mixed ferrites

Mn_1-xZn_xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles (x = 0 to 1) were synthesized by the wet chemical co-precipitation technique. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy were effectively utilized to investigate the different structural parameters. The ac conductivity of nanosized Mn _1-xZn_xFe₂O₄ were investigated as a function of frequency, temperature and composition. The frequency dependence of ac conductivity is analysed by the power law σ(ω)_ac = Bωⁿ which is typical for charge transport by hopping or tunnelling processes. The temperature dependence of frequency exponent n was investigated to understand the conduction mechanism in different compositions. The conduction mechanisms are mainly based on polaron hopping conduction.