Magnetic nanoparticles induced dielectric enhancement in (La, Gd)(2)O(3):SiO(2) composite systems

Magnetic Gd(2)O(3) and non-magnetic La(2)O(3) nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized together with different doping concentrations in SiO(2) matrix via sol-gel route calcination at 700 C and above. Properly annealed NP-glass composite systems show enhancement of dielectric constant and magnetodielectric effect (MDE) near room temperature, depending on superparamagnetic NPs concentrations. From application point of view, the enhancement of dielectric constant along with MDE can be achieved by tuning the NPs size through varying calcination temperature and/or increasing the doping concentration of magnetic rare earth oxide.