Influence of rare-earth ion doping on dielectric properties of lithium zinc borate glasses

The dielectric constant (epsilon '), loss factor (tan delta), and ac conductivity (Sigma ac) of 30 Li2O-10 ZnO-(60-x) B2O3: xLn2O3, where (x = 0 and 1) and (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu) were investigated using a frequency range of 102-105 Hz and temperature ranging from 30 to 250 degrees C in this work. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) technique was employed to confirm the glassy nature of the materials under study. The dielectric parameters epsilon ', tan delta, and Sigma ac rise when rare-earth ions are added to the glass matrix at any frequency or temperature. Dielectric breakdown and activation energies are lower in doped than in undoped glasses while ac current flows through them at room temperature. Rare-earth ion doping's dielectric parameter values decrease with temperature as atomic number (Z) rises. The dielectric parameter values for the Pr3+ doped glass matrix are the highest. QM tunnelling model was used to describe the ac conduction behaviour of these glasses.