Crystal structure and AC conductivity mechanism of [N(C3H7)4]2CoCl4 compound

Abstract

We found that the new organic–inorganic compound [N(C3H7)4]2 CoCl4, crystallizes at room temperature in the centrosymmetric monoclinic system with P21/c space group. The atomic arrangement can be described by an alternation of organic and organic–inorganic layers parallel to the (001) plan. Indeed, the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies indicate a presence of three order–disorder phase transitions located at 332, 376 and 441K. Furthermore, the conductivity was measured in the frequency range from 200MHz to 5MHz and temperatures between 318K and 428K using impedance spectroscopy. Analysis of the AC conductivity experimental data obtained, and the frequency exponent s with theoretical models reveals that the correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model is the appropriate mechanism for conduction in the title compound. The analysis of the dielectric constants ε′ and ε″ versus temperature, at several frequencies, shows a distribution of relaxation times. This relaxation is probably due to the reorientational dynamics of [N(C3H7)4]+ cations.