Variation in the material properties by nickel substitution in copper tellurate
Abstract A series of pristine and nickel doped copper tellurates possessing a wide range of applications are studied here. Use of a simple wet chemical route that is co-precipitation method has been employed for the first time, which involves the formation of desired compounds at a relatively lower temperature, thus modifying their properties. All the prepared compounds are characterized and investigated by XRD, TG – DTA, XPS, SEM, TEM to examine their phase purity, thermal stability, chemical state, and microstructural properties. The electrical resistivity studies showed an insulator - semiconductor transition behavior. Magnetic studies revealed the paramagnetic nature of the material. Antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition was observed at T N ~ 60 K in case of Cu 2.7 Ni 0.3 TeO 6 sample. Thermoelectric studies indicated a change in conduction mechanism with temperature. Dielectric properties with respect to frequency showed an increase in dielectric parameters with increasing dopant content. Photoluminescence property has been studied and found to show emission in the visible region.