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Abstract

Structural, optical and dielectric properties of polycrystalline SmFe1-xNixO3 (x=0.0, 0.3 and 0.5) samples prepared by ceramic method is presented. Lattice parameters, unit cell volume and porosity were calculated and found decreasing with an increase in Ni concentration. SEM shows an increase in grain size (0.2 μm to 0.3 μm) with an increase in Ni doping. The influences of Ni doping on optical energy band gap are investigated in the wavelength range of 200-800 nm. Dielectric properties (dielectric constant and loss) for SmFe1-xNixO3 were studied in the temperature range 100-400K and in the frequency range 20 kHz-1MHz. AC conductivity of pristine sample is found to be less than Ni doped samples. Various possibilities were explored to explain the observed dielectric and electric behavior of Ni doped SmFeO3 ceramics.

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