Electrical and dielectric properties of rare earth oxides coated LiCoO2 particles

Pure and rare earth oxides (Sm₂O₃, La₂O₃) coated LiCoO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by acrylamide-assisted polymeric citrate and resin-coating processes, respectively. The prepared powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, and impedance spectroscopy. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the formation of phase pure LiCoO₂ with nanocrystallite size. X-ray fluorescence spectra confirm the presence of Sm₂O₃ and La₂O₃ in coated samples. The conductivity, dielectric and electric modulus studies of the samples were carried out at room temperature. Dielectric spectra of the samples show the decrease in dielectric constant with an increase in frequency of the applied field. The modulus studies indicate the non-Debye behavior of the samples, which is due to long-time slow polarization and relaxation of hopping charges.