Synthesis, characterization, optical and dielectric studies of layered K0.5CoO2 oxide material

School of Advanced Sciences, VIT University, Vellore-632 014, Tamilnadu, India

E-mail : arubankumarvit@gmail.com

Molten flux has been used as an efficient and low temperature method to synthesize K_0.5CoO₂ using KOH as a flux at a temperature of 400 ºC. The products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). X-Ray diffraction pattern confirmed the formation of single phase K_0.5CoO₂ . SEM image indicates the obtained samples are diffused micro porous sphere like morphology and its grain size will be in the range of 100–300 nm. Optical properties of K_0.5CoO₂ ceramic shows an energy band gap in the range of 2.50 eV. The dielectric studies of layered K_0.5CoO₂ have AC-conductivity observed for the frequency range from 50 Hz to 5 MHz and also as the function of temperature from room temperature to 623 K indicates the space charge polarization contributes the conduction mechanism.