Effect of silver nanoparticles on the dielectric properties of holmium doped silica glass

• Published in: Physica. B, Condensed matter Vol. 405; no. 6; pp. 1513 - 1517
• Main Authors: Rejikumar, P.R., Jyothy, P.V., Mathew, Siby, Thomas, Vinoy, Unnikrishnan, N.V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 15.03.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Cole–Cole parameters; Condensed matter; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Dielectric constant; Dielectric properties of solids and liquids; Dielectrics, piezoelectrics, and ferroelectrics and their properties; Exact sciences and technology; Holmium; Icosahedral; Mathematical analysis; Nanocrystals; Nanoparticles; Permittivity (dielectric function); Physics; Silica glass; Silver; Silver nanoparticles; Sol–gel; Icosahedral; Cole–Cole parameters; Sol–gel; Holmium; Silver nanoparticles; Particle size; Holmium additions; Dielectric properties; Sol-gel; Glass; Silver additions; Cole-Cole parameters; Silica; Nanoparticles; Silver; Complex impedance; Dielectric losses; Property structure relationship; Microstructure; Permittivity; Sol-gel process; Codoping; Nanocrystal
• ISSN: 0921-4526; 1873-2135
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physb.2009.12.031

The effect of silver nanoparticle co-doping on the dielectric properties of holmium doped silica glasses was studied. Silver nanoparticles of size between 20 and 22 nm were produced by the sol–gel technique. One of the samples showed an icosahedral morphology of the nanocrystal formed, along with spherical morphology. It was found that the tuning of the dielectric constant values could be accomplished by co-doping. The sample, with 1 wt% of Ho, had low dielectric constant values within the range 100 Hz–3 MHz due to the formation of quasi-molecular structures of holmium. This effect was evaded to some extent with silver co-doping as a result of the interdispersion of holmium complexes. Also it was found that the co-doping produced a higher dielectric loss which was calculated from the tan δ–log f graph. The Cole–Cole parameters and the Jonscher power law parameters were also calculated and are presented.