Direct current conduction in ammonium perchlorate single crystals

Abstract

The dc electrical conductivity of pure and doped ammonium perchlorate (AP) has been studied in two different crystal orientations, with the electric field applied perpendicularly to either (001) or (210) planes. The conductivity along the direction of the c axis was found to be lower than that normal to (210) by a factor of 5 to 10. The dc electrical conductivity of AP is decreased by Pb 2+ ions but increased by SO 2− 4 and CrO 2− 4 ions. The conductivity of pure AP and of Pb 2+-doped AP displays two regions with activation energies for conduction of 0.56 and 0.87 eV, respectively. The conductivity of the anion-doped crystals has a single activation energy, 0.66 eV for SO 2− 4 and 0.72 eV for CrO 2− 4. Exposure to ammonia enhances the conductivity of pure AP. A proton conduction mechanism is proposed that takes due regard of the structure of AP. The effect of the various additives on the conductivity are attributed to their influences on the formation of charge-carrying protons.