Thermoelectric power of ferroelectric potassium vanadate, cesium vanadate, lithium vanadate and their solid solutions

Abstract

The thermoelectric power of the vanadates of potassium, cesium and lithium and their solid solutions was measured in the temperature range covering their transition points. The thermoelectric power measurement was carried out by the two-electrode technique for pellets of polycrystalline ceramic samples. The thermoelectric power increased with temperature initially, then decreased attaining a zero value at the transition temperature. As the concentration of KVO 3 increased the thermoelectric power decreased for the solid solutions (K x-Cs~ _x)VO3, whereas the thermoelectric power increased with increase in concentration of KVO3 for the solid solutions (Kx-Li~ _x)VO3. Vanadates of potassium, cesium, and lithium and their solid solutions showed P type semiconductor bchaviour in ferroelectric state and n type semiconductor behaviour in paraelectric region.