Thermoelectric Power, Electrical Resistivity and Magnetic Properties of Ni-Sm Nano-particles

Nanocrystalline Samarium doped Nickel ferrites having compositional formula NiSmXFe2-XO4 (0.00≤X≥0.10) were prepared by the citrate-gel auto combustion method and sintered at 5000C. The structural characteristics such as XRD analysis were shown cubic spinel structure, and the structural parameters like lattice parameter, X-ray density, bulk density, and porosity variations with Sm doping were studied. The surface morphology of prepared samples was observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The magnetic parameters were studied at room temperature with VSM, and the observed results are discussed with composition. The DC electrical properties were studied using a two-probe method in the temperature range from room temperature to well beyond Curie temperature. Thermoelectric power studies were carried out from room temperature to well beyond transition temperature with a differential method. The Seebeck coefficient variation with temperature was studied, and it shows the prepared samples are classified as n-type semiconductors. The observed results can be explained on the basis of the conduction mechanism.