Crystal structure, spectroscopic, magnetic and dielectric studies of new doped ceramic ZrTe3O8:7%CuO

In this study, calcined ZrTe3O8 powder mixed with 7%wt of CuO was sintered at 750 °C. The new doped ceramic ZrTe3O8:7%CuO was synthesized using solid state reaction method and was studied with X-ray diffraction (XRD). At room temperature, the title compound crystallizes in cubic space group Ia3‾, with lattice parameter a = 11.328(3) Å, and exhibits a complex network of interconnected closed chains built up of TeO4E (E = electronic lone pair of Te (IV) atoms). The Zr/CuO6 octahedra are inserted into these chains ensuring the stability of the structure by Zr/Cu –O–Te bonding contacts. IR and Raman spectroscopic study are employed as means to obtain preliminary structural information and confirms the presence of the ZrO6 and TeO4E groups. Optical properties of the ceramic were explored by using UV–Vis absorption. The magnetic results reveal the appearance of a weak ferromagnetic behavior at low temperature (TC = 46.172 K). In addition, dielectric data were analyzed using real and imaginary permittivity ε’ and ε’’ respectively, the tan (δ) and the electrical modulus (M’ and M″) for the sample ZrTe3O8:7%CuO at various frequencies. The Z’ and Z’’ versus frequency plots are well fitted to an equivalent circuit model composed of a series combination of two parallel combinations of resistance Ri and constant phase element CPEi. •The ceramic crystallized ain the cubic fluorite structure (Ia3‾).•The Zr/CuO6 octahedra are inserted into TeO4E chains ensuring the stability of the structure by Zr/Cu –O–Te bonding contacts.•The magnetic results reveal the appearance of a weak ferromagnetic behavior at low temperature (TC = 46.172 K).•The equivalent circuit model is composed of a series combination of two parallel combinations of resistance Ri and constant phase element CPEi.