An approach to the interpretation of Cole–Davidson and Cole–Cole dielectric functions

Assuming that a dielectric sample can be described by Debye's model at each frequency, a method based on Cole's treatment is proposed for the direct estimation at experimental frequencies of relaxation times and the corresponding static and infinite-frequency permittivities. These quantities and the link between dielectric strength and mean molecular dipole moment at each frequency could be useful to analyze dielectric relaxation processes. The method is applied to samples that follow a Cole–Cole or a Cole–Davidson dielectric function. A physical interpretation of these dielectric functions is proposed. The behavior of relaxation time with frequency can be distinguished between the two dielectric functions. The proposed method can also be applied to samples following a Navriliak–Negami or any other dielectric function. The dielectric relaxation of a nanofluid consisting of graphene nanoparticles dispersed in the oil squalane is reported and discussed within the novel framework.