Effect of Zn substitution on the electrical properties of Bi2Co0.1V0.9O5.35 synthesized by sol-gel method

Samples of Bi₂V_0.9Co_0.1-xZn_xO_5.35, 0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.08 with layered Aurivillius structure were synthesized successfully by sol-gel citrate method. Structural and electrical characterization of compositions has been investigated by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis–differential scanning calorimetric (TGA–DSC) analysis and AC impedance spectroscopy. The tetragonal γ phase has been observed for all investigated samples. The AC impedance response of samples has been measured in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 1 MHz. The impedance for pellets decreases as thermal energy increases. The contribution of grain to the conduction process is more than that of grain boundary. The ionic conductivity and dielectric permittivity are found to be composition-dependent and increase with increasing Zn concentration. The maximum electrical conductivity observed for the composition x = 0.08 is σ = 4.51 × 10^?4 S cm^?1 at 300 °C.