AC conductivity analysis and dielectric relaxation behavior of (C6H20N3)BiBr6.H2O

The N‐(3‐ammoniumpropyl)‐1,3 diammoniumpropane hexabromobismuthate (III) monohydrate exhibits a structural phase transition at T = 330 °K, which has been characterized by differential scanning calorimetric. The alternating current electrical conductivity and the dielectric relaxation properties of the (C₆H₂₀N₃)BiBr₆.H₂O compound have been investigated by means of impedance spectroscopy measurements over a wide range of frequencies and temperatures, 100 Hz–1 MHz and 290–355 °K, respectively. The Z′ and Z″ versus frequency plots are well fitted to an equivalent circuit consisting of series of combination of grains and grain boundary elements. The frequency dependent alternating current conductivity is well described by Jonscher's universal power law: σ(ω,T) = σ_DC(T) + A(T)ω^s(T). The nature of direct current conductivity variation suggests the Arrhenius type of electrical conductivity. Furthermore, the modulus plots can be characterized by full width at half height or in terms of a non‐experiential decay function φ(t) = exp(?t/τ)^β. The variation of the value of these elements with temperatures confirmed the result detected by differential scanning calorimetry measurements. Thus, the near values of activation energies obtained from the impedance and modulus spectra confirm that the transport is through an ion hopping mechanism. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.