Structural, dielectric and optical investigations of Zr incorporated ceria nanoparticles

Ceria nanoparticles mediated with controlled reactive metals are considered to have good dielectric mediums with comparative low loss factors. The chemically derived Zr incorporated ceria nanoparticles were examined through structural studies revealed a cubic fluorite structure of pure and Zr substituted CeO2 compositions. Zr substitution produced deformation in lattice parameters acquired through structural refinement. Field emission scanning electron micrographs demonstrate the formation of particles in nano size dimensions with uniform shape and distribution. CeO2 nanoparticles shows a considerable variation in optical characteristics including its band gap with addition of Zr. This mediation exhibit high dielectric and low tangent loss while frequency spectrum shows a decreasing trend. The enhanced physical properties of ceria with addition of Zr could be used in advanced energy storage devices like thin film capacitors.