Nonstoichiometry and electronic defects in yttrium iron garnet

Results are presented of a thermogravimetrical analysis of yttrium iron garnet, Y₃Fe₅O_12?δ, in the temperature range 950–1270°C. From these measurements the oxygen vacancy concentration δ is obtained for partial oxygen pressures between 1 and 10^?5 atm. The data can be fitted with a relation $\text{δ = A}\text{exp}\text{(}\text{?E}\text{kT}\text{)}$. Values of A and E are given for different values of P_O2. The combined data from electrical conductivity measurements, measurements of Seebeck coefficients, and thermogravimetric analysis, are used to calculate the concentrations of point defects in the garnet lattice. The results are expressed in terms of equilibrium reaction constants. The model is also used to analyze diffusivity data.