Vibrational study and effect of copper substitution on the electrical properties of the (C2H5NH3)2CdCl4 hybrid compound

[Display omitted] •The elaborated samples have been studied by impedance spectroscopy.•The C (f) behavior is explained by the interface states effect.•The AC conductivity is interpreted in terms of Jonscher law.•The σ (f) increases with the introduction of copper in A2CdCl4 sample. In this paper, elaborated samples (C2H5NH3)2CdCl4 and (C2H5NH3)2Cd0.5Cu0.5Cl4 have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction patterns, Raman and impedance spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction indicates that these compounds crystallize at room temperature in the orthorhombic system. The values of lattice parameters and volume were determined. Raman spectroscopy (RS) analysis was used to identify the different modes of vibration between atoms. This technique confirms the presence of the organic and inorganic chain of the hybrid compounds. The morphological analysis was carried out, and the size of the grain was ascertained using the Image J application. The electrical measurements were performed in the 5Hz – 10 MHz frequency range and 0–6V bias voltage interval. The capacitance behavior as a function of frequency is explained by the interface states effect. It is noted that the capacitance increases with the introduction of copper in (C2H5NH3)2CdCl4 hybrid compound. The C–V curves show three regions of electronic charge distribution: (a) inversion, (b) depletion and (c) accumulation. The frequency dependence of the conductivity is interpreted in term of Jonscher law. The increase of the conductivity is attributed to the incorporation of copper in (C2H5NH3)2CdCl4 compound.