Structural and thermoelectric power properties of Na-doped V2O5·nH2O nanocrystalline thin films

X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermoelectric power (S) and at room temperature electrical conductivity (σ) of Na⁺¹-doped V₂O₅·nH₂O nanocrystalline thin films fabricated by sol gel technique (colloid route) were studied. XRD showed that the Na₂O–V₂O₅·nH₂O thin films are highly oriented nanocrystals. The average value of particle size was found to be about 7.5 nm. The thermoelectric power showed that the thermoelectric power for all present nanocrystalline thin films samples decreased with increasing Na⁺¹ content. However, the electrical conductivity increased with increasing Na⁺¹ content. There is evidence that small polarons are responsible for determining the transport properties of the Na⁺¹ doped V₂O₅·nH₂O nanocrystalline thin films samples. The high value of electrical conductivity and small value of thermoelectric power is ideal for device applications, where device to device variation of the thermoelectric power must be small. This preparation technique was demonstrated to fabricate high quality Na₂O–V₂O₅·nH₂O nanocrystalline thin films for thermoelectric device applications. However, this may be further used for deposition with an ink-jet printer.     

Structural and transport properties of Li-intercalated vanadium pentoxide nanocrystalline films

The X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, density, electrical and thermoelectric power (TEP) properties of nanocrystalline Li _x V₂O₅ ? nH₂O xerogel films (0 ≤ x ≤ 22 mol.%) were investigated. The films were produced by the sol–gel technique (colloidal route), which was used to enable high-purity, uniform preparation. The relative intensity of the (002) XRD line increased with increasing Li content. The particle size was found to be about 6.0 nm. Electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power were measured parallel to the substrate surface in the temperature range 300–480 K for the as-prepared films. The electrical conductivity showed that all the samples were semiconductors and that conductivity increased with increasing Li content. The conductivity of the present system was primarily determined by hopping carrier mobility, which was found to vary from 6.81 × 10^?6 to 0.33 × 10^?6 cm² V^?1 s^?1 at 380 K. The carrier density was evaluated to be 8.73 × 10¹⁹–1.118 × 10²¹ cm^?3. The conduction was confirmed to obey non-adiabatic small polaron hopping. The thermoelectric power, or Seebeck effect, increased with increasing Li content. The results obtained indicate an n-type semiconducting behavior within the temperature range investigated.     

Influence of iron ions on dielectric properties of the PbO–Bi2O3–B2O3 glass system

PbO–Bi₂O₃–B₂O₃ glasses containing small concentrations of Fe₂O₃ (0–1 mol%) were subject to dielectric studies (dielectric constant ε′; loss tan δ; and ac conductivity σ _ac) over a wide range of frequency and temperature. From spectroscopic (infrared, optical absorption and ESR spectra) and magnetic susceptibility studies, variations in these properties with dopant ion concentration were analyzed in terms of different oxidation states and iron ion environment in the glass network.     

Elastic,impedance spectroscopic and dielectric properties of TiO2 doped nanocrystalline NiCuZn spinel ferrites

ABSTRACT

Nanocrystalline Ni_0.4Cu_0.3Zn_0.3Fe₂O₄ ferrites doped with TiO₂ (0–10?wt %) were prepared by the sol-gel method. Elastic properties of synthesized samples were studied with the help of ultrasonic pulse transmission method. The elastic constants initially increase with an increase in TiO₂ up to 1?wt % and then decline. LCR-Q meter was used to study the dielectric properties within 50?Hz to 5?MHz range of the frequency. The dielectric constant (?′) and dielectric loss tangents were decreased continuously with increased frequency for all the selected samples at room temperature revealing normal dielectric behavior of ferrites. Also, the AC conductivity was increased with an increase in the frequency for all the selected samples. Cole-Cole plots were obtained for all investigated samples and showed single semicircle which indicates that the electrical conduction process appears only due to grain boundaries.     

Electrical conductivity and dielectric relaxation behavior of AgFeP2O7 compound

In the present study, AgFeP₂O₇ was prepared by a solid-state reaction method. Rietveld refinement of the X-ray diffraction pattern suggests the formation of the single phase desired compound with monoclinic structure at room temperature. Not only were the impedance spectroscopy measurements of our compound carried out from 209 Hz to 5 MHz over the temperature range of 553 K–698 K but its AC conductivity as well as the dielectric relaxation were evaluated. Impedance measurements show AgFeP₂O₇ an ionic conductor being the conductivity 1.04?×?10^–?5(Ω^–?1cm^–?1) at 573 K. The conductivity and modulus formalisms provide nearly the same activation energies for electrical relaxation of mobile ions revealing that transport properties in this material appear to be due to an ionic hopping mechanism dominated by the motion of the Ag⁺ ions along tunnels presented in the structure of the investigated material.     

Effect of annealing temperature on photoelectrochemical properties of nanocrystalline MoBi2(Se0.5Te0.5)5 thin films

Nanocrystalline MoBi₂(Se_0.5Te_0.5)₅ thermoelectric thin films have been deposited on ultrasonically cleaned glass and FTO-coated glass substrates by Arrested Precipitation Technique. The change in properties of MoBi₂(Se_0.5Te_0.5)₅ thin films were examined after annealing at the temperature 473 K for 3 h. The structural, morphological, compositional and electrical properties of thin films were characterized by X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, etc. Thermoelectric properties of the thin films have been evaluated by measurements of electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient in the temperature range 300–500 K. Our aim is to investigate the effect of annealing on behaviour of MoBi₂(Se_0.5Te_0.5)₅ thin films along with photoelectrochemical properties.     

Influence of temperature and Pr-doping on the dielectric properties of Ca2−xPrxMnO4 compounds and structural transition effects

Complex perovskite oxides Ca_2?xPr_xMnO₄ (x = 0–0.5) compounds were synthesized by a solid-state reaction technique. A tetra–ortho structural transition was observed. Impedance spectroscopy was used to study the electrical behavior in the frequency range 40 Hz–1 MHz and in the temperature range 80–350 K. Frequency-dependent conductivity spectra were found to obey the Jonscher's power law. Complex impedance plane plots have indicated that the dielectric response is mainly intrinsic. Materials bulk response was found to be dominated by non-localized or localized conduction, depending on temperature and frequency.     

Availability of water glass/Bi2O3 composites in dielectric and gamma-ray screening applications

ABSTRACT

Sodium silicate (Na₂Si₃O₇) also known as water glass is a very low cost material which is used in many industrial applications such as a builder in detergents, as a binder and adhesive etc. But so far the electrical properties of sodium silicate and its ability to screen radiation have never been investigated. In the present study, the frequency dependent electrical properties and gamma-ray shielding performance of water glass based bismuth oxide composites have been studied for the first time. In accordance with this purpose, Na₂Si₃O₇/Bi₂O₃ glassy composites have been prepared for searching their possible applications in electronics and radiation screening. The surface morphology of the samples have been determined by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The frequency dependent electrical properties such as complex impedance, complex dielectric function and conductivity have been analyzed at room temperature between 1 and 40?MHz. As a result of alternative current (ac) electrical analysis, it has been determined that the Na₂Si₃O₇/Bi₂O₃ composites can be utilized as a dielectric layer in capacitors. On the other hand, since bismuth oxide is an anti-radiative material, the gamma-ray screening parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient, half layer and tenth layer values along with mean free path of the composites have been defined experimentally by using NaI(Tl) scintillation detector for the Ba-133 radiation source at 81 and 356?keV. The values of these parameters have also been checked by Monte–Carlo simulation. Since a good agreement has been assigned between experimental and Monte–Carlo simulation results, the related gamma ray shielding parameters have been determined by Monte–Carlo simulation for other gamma photon energies (140?keV, 208?keV, 468?keV, and 661?keV) which are generated from Tc-99, Lu-177, Ir-132, and Cs-137 sources. Ultimately, Na₂Si₃O₇/Bi₂O₃(35%) composite has been suggested as an eco-friendly, lead-free glassy structured material for the gamma radiation shielding in medical applications.     

Dielectric and spectroscopic investigations of lithium aluminium zirconium silicate glasses mixed with TiO2

Li₂O–Al₂O₃–ZrO₂–SiO₂ glasses mixed with different concentrations of TiO₂ (ranging from 0 to 5.0?mol%) were synthesised and their dielectric properties (dielectric constant, loss tan?δ, a.c. conductivity σ) investigated over wide ranges of frequency and temperature. Studies of optical absorption, ESR, infrared (IR) and photoluminescence properties have also been undertaken. A decrease in dielectric parameters with increasing concentrations of TiO₂ has been observed and this is attributed to an increasing proportion of titanium ions occupying network-forming positions rather than going into interstitial positions. A.C. conductivity in the high-temperature region appears to be connected both to electronic transfer and ionic movements, but conduction attributed to such processes seems to be hampered by the entry of titanium ions into the network-forming positions. Analysis of the results of the IR spectral studies have indicated that there is a decreasing degree of disorder in the glass network with increasing TiO₂ content. The optical absorption and ESR spectral studies have revealed that titanium ions exist in both Ti³⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ states in the glasses. Luminescence spectra exhibited an emission band in the visible region and the luminescence efficiency increased with TiO₂ content. The excitation of substitutionally positioned octahedral Ti⁴⁺ ions is identified as being responsible for the observed luminescence emission.     

Effect of Li2O on the structure,electrical and dielectric properties of xLi2O·(20−x)CaO·30P2O5·30V2O5·20Fe2O3 glasses

Glasses of the general formula xLi₂O·(20?x)CaO·30P₂O₅·30V₂O₅·20Fe₂O₃ with x=0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mol% were prepared; IR, density, electrical and dielectric properties have been investigated. Lithia-containing glasses revealed more (P₂O₇)^4?, FeO₆, V–O^? and PO^? groups and mostly have lower densities than those of lithia-free ones. The electrical properties showed random behavior by replacing Li₂O for CaO, which has been assigned to the change of the glass structure. The results of activation energy and frequency-dependent conductivity indicate that the conduction proceeds via electronic and ionic mechanisms, the former being dominant. The mechanism responsible for the electronic conduction is mostly thermally activated hopping of electrons from Fe(II) ions to neighboring Fe(III) sites and/or from V⁴⁺ to V⁵⁺. The dielectric constant (ε′) showed values that depend on the structure of glass according to its content of Li₂O. The (ε′) values are ranging between 3 and 41 at room temperature for 1 kHz, yet at high temperatures, glass with 20 mol Li₂O exhibits values of 110 and 3600 when measurement was carried out in the range 0.1–1 kHz, and at 5 MHz, respectively.     

Effect of alkali content on AC conductivity of borate glasses containing two transition metals

Sodium borate glasses containing iron and molybdenum ions with the total concentration of transition ions constant and gradual substitution of sodium oxide (network modifier) by borate oxide (network former) was prepared. Densities, molar volume, DC and AC conductivities are measured. The trends of these properties are attributed to changes in the glass network structure. Their DC and AC conductivity increased with increasing NaO concentration. The increase of AC conductivity of sodium borate glasses is attributed to the chemical composition and the hopping mechanism of conduction. Measurements of the dielectric constant (ε) and dielectric loss (tan δ) as a function of frequency (50 Hz–100 kHz) and temperature (RT—600 K) indicate that the increase in dielectric constant and loss (ε and tan δ) values with increasing sodium ion content could be attributed to the assumption that Fe and Mo ions tend to assume network-forming position in the glass compositions studied.The variation of the value of frequency exponent s for all glass samples as the function of temperature at a definite frequency indicates that the value of s decreases with increasing the temperature which agrees with the correlated barrier-hopping (CBH) model.     

Influence of Zn/Co ratio on dielectric behavior of Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>Zn<Subscript>1 ‐ x</Subscript>Co<Subscript>x</Subscript>P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> glasses

A series of zinc phosphate glass doped with cobalt Na₂Zn_(1???x)Co_xP₂O₇ (x = 0, 1, 2 and 5 mol%) was synthesized. These glasses were characterized by both infrared and large broadband dielectric spectroscopy. Infrared spectra indicate the increase of Zn/Co ratio creates defect in phosphate network due to the depolymeration of phosphate anions. The dc conductivity increases and activation energy decreases with the amount of cobalt ions in the glass network. The impedance measurements reveal that the total conductivity follows Jonscher’s power law. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss increased with the temperature and decreased with the frequency whatever the cobalt proportion.     

Phase transitions in CuBiP2Se6 crystals

Investigation results of dielectric (20?Hz–1?MHz) properties of layered CuBiP₂Se₆ crystals are presented. The temperature dependence of the static dielectric permittivity reveals the first-order “displacive” antiferroelectric phase transition at T _c?=?136?K. In the paraelectric phase, at low frequencies, dielectric spectra are highly influenced by the high ionic conductivity with the activation energy of 2473?K (0.21?eV). In the antiferroelectric phase the electrical conductivity and its activation energy (531.1?K (0.045?eV)) are considerably smaller. At low temperatures, the temperature behaviour of the distribution of relaxation times reveals complex freezing phenomena. A part of long relaxation time distribution is strongly affected by external direct current (DC) electric field and it is obviously caused by antiferroelectric domain dynamics.     

A new ferroelectric oxide Li2Pb2Pr2W2Ti4Nb4O30: Synthesis and characterization

A new ferroelectric oxide (Li₂Pb₂Pr₂W₂Ti₄Nb₄O₃₀) of tungsten bronze structural family has been synthesized by a solid-state reaction (mixed-oxide) route at high temperature (～1100 °C). X-ray structural analysis with room temperature diffraction data confirms the formation of a single phase compound. The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) texture of the surface of material sample exhibits a uniform grain distribution with a few small voids suggesting the formation of high-density pellet sample. Detailed studies of dielectric constant, tangent loss and polarization with temperature and frequency confirmed the existence of ferroelectric properties in the material with transition temperature much above room temperature. Study of electrical properties (impedance, modulus, conductivity, etc.) of the material exhibits a strong correlation between its micro-structure (i.e., bulk, grain boundary, etc.) and electrical parameters. The nature of variation of dc conductivity with temperature confirms the Arrhenius behavior of the material. The presence of ionic conductivity in the material was observed in its ac conductivity spectrum. Study of frequency dependence of ac conductivity suggests that the material obeys Jonscher's universal power law. The experimental electrical transport properties of the material clearly exhibit the existence of non-exponential-type of conductivity relaxation.     

Phase transition and electrical investigation in lithium copper pyrophosphate compound Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>CuP<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript> using impedance spectroscopy

Lithium pyrophosphate compound Li₂CuP₂O₇ has been synthesized through solid state reaction method. FTIR and XRD results, realized at room temperature, indicate respectively the dominant feature of pyrophosphate anion (P₂O₇)^4? and a pure monoclinic phase with I2/a space group. Electrical and dielectric properties have been studied using impedance spectroscopy complex over a wide temperature (576–710 K) and frequency (209 Hz–1 MHz) range. From the direct and alternative conductivities (DC and AC), electrical conduction is found to be thermally activated process. The frequency-dependent AC conductivity obeys Jonscher’s universal power law σ_AC~Aω^s. The differential scanning calorimetry spectrum discloses phase transition at 622 K.     

Synthesis,structural and electrical properties of Ti modified Bi2Sn2O7 pyrochlore

Polycrystalline ceramic samples of Bi₂Sn_2−xTi_xO₇ (x=0.00, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8) have been synthesized by standard high temperature solid state reaction method. The effect of homovalent cation (titanium) substitution on the Sn-site on the structural and electrical properties of the pure Bi₂Sn₂O₇ ceramic have been studied by X-ray diffraction followed by SEM, dielectric and dc conductivity studies. The structural analysis indicates that the increase of titanium contents do not lead to any secondary phase. The frequency and temperature dependent dielectric studies have been carried out. It is found that the Ti doping reduces the material particle size. The size of the particles are strongly influenced by the addition of titanium to the system. The substitution of Ti for Sn ions affected the degree of disorder and modified the dielectric properties leading to more resistive ceramic compounds. The activation energies of all the compounds were calculated using the relation σ=σ₀exp(−Ea/kT).     

Thermoelectric power and ac conductivity of A-type Nd2O3

Measurement of thermoelectric power Θ of pressed pellets of A-type Nd₂O₃ from 550 to 1180K and electrical conductivity (σ) at dc, 50 Hz, 1.542 kHz and 3 kHz at different temperatures is reported. It is concluded that electrical conduction at high temperature (T>600K) in this solid is due to positive large polarons in O²⁻ : 2p (valence) band and negative intermediate polarons in Nd³⁺ : 5d (conduction band). The energy band gap of the solid has been found to be 2.44 eV. At low temperatures, conduction by hopping of charge carriers from one impurity centre to another has been predicted.     

Electrical properties of complex tungsten bronze ceramics

This paper highlights the electrical properties of two new complex tungsten bronze ceramics (K₂Pb₂Eu₂W₂Ti₄Nb₄O₃₀ and K₂Pb₂Pr₂W₂Ti₄Nb₄O₃₀) which were prepared by high temperature mixed oxide method. Variation of impedance parameters with temperature (27–500 °C) and frequency (1 kHz to 5 MHz) shows the grain and grain boundary effects in the samples. The variation of dielectric parameters with frequency is also studied. The ac conductivity variation with temperature clearly exhibits that the materials have thermally activated transport properties of Arrhenius type.     

Effect of replacing calcium oxide with calcium halide on crystallization and some physical properties of calcium vanadium phosphate glass ceramics

The effect of halide ions on density, electrical, magnetic and crystallization kinetics for (20X-50P₂O₅-30V₂O₅) mole% has been investigated, where X=CaO, CaF₂, CaCl₂ and CaBr₂. Halide ions reduce the glass transition temperature, crystallization temperature and activation energy of crystallization. Density, electrical conductivity and magnetic susceptibility increase while molar volume, glass thermal stability and interatomic distance between transition metal ions decrease as the halide ions replace the oxygen ions in these glasses.     

Electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of β-BaB<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystal in the temperature range 90–300 K

The electrical conductivity σ and dielectric properties (?, tanδ) of β-BaB₂O₄ were studied in the temperature range 90–300 K. The quantities σ, ?, and tanδ were measured at frequencies of 0.1, 1, and 10 kHz and 1 MHz. The dielectric permittivity and electrical conductivity were found to grow with increasing temperature at all frequencies. The permittivity decreases and the electrical conductivity increases (by several orders of magnitude) with increasing frequency. Maxima were observed in the σ=f(T) and tanδ=f(T) curves for all frequencies; the maxima shift toward higher temperatures with increasing frequency.