Abstract:
The NiFe2O4 / MWCNTs nanohybrid was synthesized via novel one step
ultrasonication assisted method using ortho-xylene as a dispersive medium. Coprecipitation
method was adopted for the synthesis of nickel ferrite nanoparticles.
MWCNTs concentrations (0.0%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0% 2.5% and 10.0%) were
continuously changed in nickel ferrite. The nanohybrid was characterized by
different techniques i.e. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope
(SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Impedance Analyzer. The
XRD patterns confirmed the formation of NiFe2O4 / MWCNTs nanohybrid with
decreasing x-ray density and increasing porosity. The crystallite size obtained was in
the range of 20 to 50 nm. The SEM images showed the decoration of nickel ferrite
nanoparticles on MWCNTs. The FTIR results showed that MWCNTs didn’t affect
the spinal structure of ferrite. Cole-Cole plot of impedance showed that resistance is
decreasing with increasing MWCNTs concentration and the resistance is only due to
the grain boundary contribution. The dielectric properties were found to be
increasing with increasing MWCNTs weight percent and showed high values of
dielectric properties. For 10.0% MWCNTs concentration, the results showed
enhanced values of dielectric constant from (6.17×103 to 2.10×105), dielectric loss
from (3.87×104 to 1.29 ×107), dielectric loss tangent from (6.268 to 61.4843) and AC
conductivity from (2.15×10-4 to 7.18×10-2 S/m) respectively at 100 Hz. Such
enhanced properties of NiFe2O4 / MWCNTs nanohybrid render its applications for
the super capacitors, microwave absorbers and high frequency applications.
