Effect of Rare Earth Ion Doping on ac Conductivity and Dielectric Properties of Lithium Cadmium Borate Glasses

Abstract

The dielectric constant (ε'), loss factor (tanδ), and ac conductivity (σ_ac) of 30 Li₂O–10CdO–(60 – x)-B₂O₃:xLn₂O₃, where (x = 0 and 1) and (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu) were investigated using a frequency range of 10²–10⁵ Hz and temperature ranging from 30 to 250°C in this work. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique was employed to confirm the glassy nature of the materials under study. The dielectric parameters ε', tan δ, and σ_ac rise when rare-earth ions are added to the glass matrix at any frequency or temperature. Dielectric breakdown and activation energies are lower in doped than in undoped glasses while ac current flows through them at room temperature. Rare-earth ion doping’s dielectric parameter values decrease with temperature as atomic number (Z) rises. The dielectric parameter values for the Pr³⁺ doped glass matrix is the highest. QM tunnelling model was used to describe the ac conduction behaviour of these glasses.