Propriétés électriques du trioxyde de tungstène a proximité de sa composition stoechiométrique. Influence des conditions thermodynamiques de préparation et phénomènes de trempe

The experimental study of variations in electrical conductivity of WO_3−x vs oxygen partial pressure and temperature shows evidence of interstitial W⁶_i· as being the major defect. Under certain conditions, point defects can order themselves in extended defects. The behavior of electrical conductivity can be interpreted in terms of thermodynamic equilibrium between point defects and extended defects, the latter leading to structural modifications beyond a certain departure from stoichiometry. Moreover, WO_3−x shows evidence of quenching phenomena allowing it to keep electrical features characteristic of high temperatures down to room temperature. These properties may explain discrepancies between previous data.