Dielectric properties and AC conductivity for (Nix/Bentonite) composites

Abstract

We have studied the dielectric properties and electrical conductivity for pure bentonite (Ben) and Ben loaded with 1.0%, 3.0% and 10.0% Ni composition within the temperature range 25°C–110°C and over the frequency range (100 Hz–0.3 MHz). The dielectric permittivity of pure Ben and Ni/Ben composite decreased with increasing frequency and temperature. We observed two relaxation processes in the characteristics of the electric modulus as a function of frequency and temperature. For both pure Ben and Ni/Ben, the activation energy decreased with increasing frequency and further decreased by adding 1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 wt.% Ni. Thus, the conduction mechanism in Ni/Ben has been associated with small polaron tunnelling.

Keywords

• nickel/bentonite composite
• dielectric permittivity
• dielectric modulus
• electrical conductivity