Physical properties of zinc substituted lithium oxide Li₂[Ni₆Zn_xCo_2−x]O₁₀ nanomaterials prepared via sol-gel chemical route

Lithium-ion batteries are playing a vital role in recent technology to compensate the energy crises facing by industries. Lithium based oxides materials are extensively used as an electrode material due to their high energy density. The zinc (Zn²⁺) ion substituted nickel rich lithium cobalt oxide nanomaterials having formula Li₂[Ni₆Zn_xCo_2−x]O₁₀ were prepared with various concentrations of zinc (x = 0.00, 0.50, 1.00, 1.50, 2.00) using sol-gel wet chemical route. All samples were annealed at temperature of 700 °C for 3 h in a muffle furnace. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the hexagonal structure of the prepared nanomaterials. The crystallite size was determined through Scherrer's and Williamson Hall (W–H) method. The effects of Zn²⁺ ion substitution on surface morphology, grain size and their distribution were investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Dielectric properties of synthesized nanomaterials were also investigated within the applied frequency range from 1 MHz to 3 GHz at room temperature. A significant impact of zinc on dielectric response was observed. The different polarizations mechanisms were discussed with effect of frequency. The relaxation mechanism with hopping phenomena were also discussed at higher frequencies. The prepared materials were also investigated by employing a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) for their magnetic properties. The narrow magnetic hysteresis loop suggested that the prepared material is soft magnetic in nature with all concentrations of Zn²⁺. Finally, the prepared nanomaterials are suitable for energy storage and microwave device applications.