DC electrical conductivity of Ag₂O–TeO₂–V₂O₅ glassy systems

Abstract

In the present article, samples of xAg₂O–40TeO₂–(60 − x)V₂O₅ ternary tellurite glasses with 0 ≤ x ≤ 50 (in mol%) have been prepared using the melt-quenching technique. XRD analysis, density measurement by Archimedes’ law, determination of reduced vanadium ions by titration method, and electrical conductivity measurement by using four-probe methods have been done for these glasses. The mixed electronic–ionic conduction of these glasses has been investigated over a wide temperature range of 150–380 K. The experimental results have been analyzed with different theoretical models of hopping conduction. The analysis shows that at high temperatures the conductivity data are consistent with Mott’s model of phonon-assisted polaronic hopping, while Mott’s variable-range hopping model and Greaves’ hopping model are valid at low temperatures. The temperature dependence of the conductivity has been also interpreted in the framework of the percolation model proposed by Triberis and Friedman. The analysis of the conductivity data also indicates that the hopping in these tellurite glasses occurs in the non-adiabatic regime. In each sample, based upon the justified transport mechanism, carrier density and mobility have been determined at different temperatures. The values of oxygen molar volume indicate the effect of Ag₂O concentration on the thermal stability or fragility of understudied samples.