Effect of γ-Radiation on Electrical and Magnetic Properties of Manganite Materials with Spinel Structures

Nano Co0.1Zn0.9Mn2O4 samples were prepared by hydrothermal method in absence and presence of surfactants. The samples were characterized using XRD, SEM and TEM. Magnetic and electrical properties (DC- and AC-conductivity) were studied. Influences of gamma radiation on the properties studied were investigated. All samples showed tetragonal spinel crystal structure with morphologies and crystallites sizes depending on the preparation method and lay in the range of 11- 72 nm. The conductivity results showed semiconducting behavior for the samples investigated and were explained by hopping mechanism in which the conduction occurred via electron exchange amongst transition metal ions situated on octahedral sites in spinel lattice. Room temperature magnetic properties using VSM were studied. The physical properties studied were found to be dependent on the type of surfactants used.