Impedance Spectroscopy Studies on Steatite with B2O3 Ceramics Materials from Algerian Palygorskite

Abstract

B2O3 was used to reduce the sintering temperature of steatite (named MSB) dielectric ceramics. Electrical properties of this composition have been studied using impedance spectroscopic method to get better understanding of the electrical conduction, dielectric relaxation mechanism, and microstructure –electrical properties relationship of the materials as a function of temperature and frequency. These samples were prepared by a solid-state reaction technique and their single phase formation was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction technique. Dielectric and complex impedance spectroscopic studies were carried out in a wide frequency (102-106 Hz) and temperature (30-500oC) range. The dielectric constants decrease with increasing frequency for each sample, and then stabilize at frequencies lower than 100 kHz. The dielectric constant increases with the addition of B2O3. The nature of frequency dependence of ac conductivity of MSB follows the Jonscher power law and calculated DC conductivity follows Arrhinius behavior. The Nyquist plot (Z″ vs Zʹ) revealed the presence only of the grain boundary effect from 350oC onwards. The occurrence of single arc in the complex modulus spectrum of MSB compositions confirms the single-phase characteristics, and also confirms the presence of non-Debye type of multiple relaxations in the material.