50 kGy–100 kGy 60Co γ-irradiation effects on structural and DC-electrical properties of sol–gel synthesized ZnF NPs

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics Vol. 32; no. 8; pp. 11017 - 11027
• Main Authors: Raut, Anil V., Khirade, Pankaj P., Shengule, D. R., Jadhav, K. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.04.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Citric acid; Cubic lattice; Direct current; Electrical properties; Functional groups; Gamma irradiation; Gamma rays; Materials Science; Metal oxides; Nanoparticles; Optical and Electronic Materials; Physical properties; Radiation dosage; Room temperature; Sol-gel processes; Temperature dependence
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-021-05760-6

Crystalline (ZnF NPs) ZnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles were successfully prepared via the sol–gel auto-combustion approach using a citric acid polymer as a fuel for ignition. The prepared ZnF samples were analyzed by XRD, FT-IR, and EDAX affirming the formation of a single-phase, cubic, normal type spinel structure with the Fd 3 m - O h 7 space group. An exposure of ZnF nanoparticles to the 50 kGy and 100 kGy gamma-ray leads to the significant expansion of cubic structure which increases the lattice parameter (a) to some extend. FEG-SEM images revealed the compact arrangement of homogeneous nanoparticles, roughly spherical shape of grains, and fairly vivid pores after γ-irradiation. Functional group analysis of un-irradiated and γ-irradiated ZnF NPs was carried out at room temperature (RT) by FT-IR which confirmed the companionship of the associated metal oxide bands. The temperature dependence DC- electrical resistivity of ZnF NPs was measured by a two-point probe technique and drift mobility was determined. The activation energy of conduction (∆E) was determined in the range of 0.129 eV to 0.281 eV. Moreover, an optimized dose of gamma irradiation may affect the physical properties of ZnF NPs and make them a potential candidate for various technological applications.