Structural and electrical properties of the selected rare-earth oxychlorides

Abstract

The preparation and sintering conditions of the selected rare-earth oxychlorides REOCl (Re=La, Nd, Sm, Gd) were determined. The purity of materials phase compositions was confirmed by X-ray diffraction method. Further analysis of the data enabled lattice parameters and average grain size determination. The electrical properties of the single phase REOCl materials were investigated by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy in wide temperature range in atmospheric air. The spectra were analyzed by the equivalent circuit fitting. Basing on the values of equivalent circuits parameters the specific conductivities were calculated and presented in the Arrhenius coordinates. Energies of activation were calculated. The determined structural and electrical properties of four different rare-earth oxychlorides were directly compared.