Electrical Properties of TeO2. I.

Abstract

Abstract The electrical conductivity a of polycrystalline tellurium dioxide (paratellurite; purity: 6-nine) was measured as a function of the oxygen partial pressure (1–760 mmHg) at temperatures between 475 and 550°C. The relations between the experimental values of logσ and 1⁄T were well represented by straight lines, giving the apparent activation energy of about 1.36 eV. The oxygen-pressure dependence of the isothermal conductivity was well expressed by the σ∝Po21⁄6 relation; this may be interpreted by assuming that electron holes with fullyionized oxygen interstitials predominantly act as charge carriers. The p-type behavior in the conduction process was also confirmed by thermal emf measurements.