Defects and electrical conduction in mixed lanthanum transition metal oxides

Abstract

Lanthanum and transition metal mixed oxides form an interesting series of compounds with a general formula LaMO₃ (with M = Ti, V, Mn, Cr, Co, Ni and Fe). These compounds have been investigated by many workers as regards to their various physical parameters including the electrical conductivity. The new data reported in this paper refer to the Seebeck coefficient (S) in the temperature interval 300 to 1250 K. Electrical conductivity as a function of temperature has also been reported in the same temperature range and this is quite consistent with the values reported in the literature. Using these and other relevant data reported in the literature it has been concluded that native defects are mainly responsible for the electrical conduction in these solids. The nature of defect centres, charge carrier and their electrical transport mechanism is briefly discussed.