DC conductivity in La2O3 doped zinc vanadate glasses

Abstract

In this study, structural, physical and electrical properties were investigated for zinc vanadate glasses of composition, (ZnO)0.3 – (V2O5)0.3-x – (B2O3)0.4 – (La2O3)x where × takes value of 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05 mol%. Non-crystallinity of the samples has been set up from XRD studies. The prepared samples density and molar volume at room temperature were determined. The density of the glasses is found to increase and molar volume decrease with increasing La2O3 concentration. DC conductivity is found to increase with temperature and decrease with La2O3 content. Using Mott's small polaron hopping (SPH) model, the activation energy for conductivity at high temperatures has been determined. It is found to decrease with increase of mole fractions of La2O3. Mott's and Greave's Variable Range Hopping models at low temperature were used to calculate the density of states at the Fermi level, and the results are compared.