FTIR, DC, and AC electrical measurements of Mg Zn Nano-ferrites and their composites with Polybenzoxazine

Mg Zn nano-ferrites, benzoxazine monomer, polybenzoxazine polymer (PBZ), and PBZ/ferrite composites with different weight ratios have been prepared by citrate–nitrate auto combustion and co-precipitation methods. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis for those samples has been investigated. The DC conductivity (σDC), the AC conductivity (σ'AC), and dielectric properties such as the dielectric constant (ε') and dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) of the samples have been investigated too as functions of temperature and/or frequency. The FTIR spectra show the presence of the two characteristic absorption bands of ferrites, one in the range (540–570) cm−1 and the other in the range (339–435) cm−1. The existence of PBZ in the composites has been confirmed by the FTIR spectroscopy study. The conductivity of both ferrites and composites exhibits a well-expected semiconducting behaviour in agreement with the literature. Also, the σDC has decreased with the increase in Zn content in the ferrite samples. Moreover, the frequency dependence of σ'AC, έ, and tan δ is in agreement with the literature and with the theories interpreting the conductivity and the dielectric constant of heterogeneous materials composed of grains and grain boundaries. The maximum peak of the tan δ is not observed in the present samples as the range of frequencies may be larger than the frequency of the expected peak. The conductivity results and the dielectric constant results of the samples and their interpretations are consistent and reinforce each other. According to the literature, such composites may be used as a semiconductor element mounting board. Another probable application is in the manufacture of some electrochemical cell components.