Ceramics of BaTiO₃ co-doped with Gd and Cr at Ba-site was synthesized via solid-state reaction route. Surface morphology shows the increase in grain size with the increase of Cr-content below 3 mol%. The high value of 𝜀 in the synthesized samples is associated with space charge polarization and inhomogeneous dielectric structure. Gd is diffused well into the most of Ba sites and vacancies leaving very few defects or voids for the generation of absorption current which results in dielectric loss. Below 3 mol% of Cr-concentration, dissipation factor was improved. Increase in a.c. conductivity with rise of temperature is due to increase in thermally activated electron drift mobility of charges according to the hopping conduction mechanism. Moreover, samples show the positive temperature coefficient of conductivity, which is most desirable for developing highly sensitive thermal detectors and sensors. Also, higher frequency indicates motion of charges in the ceramic samples.

The influence of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) reinforced on microstructures and their transport properties on pure and cerium-substituted barium zirconium titanate (BZT) ceramics are reported in this study. The MWCNTswere prepared by a low-temperature sonochemical/hydrothermal method using dichloromethane as a carbon source. These MWCNTs were mixed with the as-prepared ceramic powders before heat treatment to obtain a reinforced product. The scanning electron micrographs reveal the successful incorporation of carbon nanotubes in BZT ceramics. The temperature dependent direct current (dc)-resistivity was less for MWCNT-reinforced ceramics in contrast to that of pure ceramics. The decrease in the dc resistivity was due to the superior electrical behaviour of MWCNTs, which act as a connector between ceramic grains. The Seebeck coefficient of cerium-substituted-BZT improved after reinforcing the MWCNTs.

Substituted Co$_3$O$_4$ spinels in the form of NiCo$_2$O$_4$ and ZnCo$_2$O$_4$ are prepared by a wet chemical co-precipitation approach at 500°C. The average grain size of substituted Co$_3$O$_4$ spinels is estimated from scanning electron micrographs and projected to be typically below 200 nm. Furthermore, microstructure analysis illustrates the ability of Ni and Zn substituents as an effective grain growth facilitator for Co$_3$O$_4$ spinel. Fourier transform infrared spectrum for all prepared spinels shows the prominent peaks corresponding to metal-oxide stretching vibration suggestive of pure phase formation. The electric and dielectric properties of substituted Co$_3$O$_4$ spinels were studied in the frequency range of 40 Hz to 8 MHz at different temperatures. For all spinels, the giant relative permittivity notably reduces with the increment in frequency and remains nearly same in higher frequencies at all temperatures. Conversely, the ac-conductivity remains almost same throughout studied frequencies but enhances with temperature, a behaviour typically observed in negative temperature co-efficient thermostats. The increase in tan ${\delta}$ as a function of temperature and complex impedance behaviour also endorses the conduction mechanism.