A double perovskite BaCaZrMnO6: Synthesis, microstructural dielectric, transport and optical properties

In this communication, a monoclinic BaCaZrMnO6 double perovskite was synthesized by a solid-state reaction technique. The Williamson-Hall method was used to calculate mean crystallite size of 53.1 nm and micro-lattice strains of 0.0256% respectively. The study of the microstructural properties of the sample was completed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) where compositional purity was checked by using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDAX). Raman spectrum shows all atomic modes of vibrations; which gives information about phase, polymorphic crystallinity & molecular interaction and confirms the presence of all constituent elements. The UV visible spectrum analysis suggests the bandgap energy of 1.68 eV, suitable for some optoelectronic devices. The presence of the Maxwell-Wanger type of dispersion was confirmed from the analysis of the dielectric study. The analysis of the impedance spectroscopy suggests that the sample has a negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) while the study of the modulus confirms a non-Debye type of relaxation process. The results of the ac conductivity study confirm a thermally activated relaxation process. The semiconductor character of the sample was confirmed from the depressed semi-circular arcs in both Nyquist and Cole-Cole plots; which may find some applications related to sensors and energy storage devices.