Anisotropic Conductivity and Phase Transformation Studies in Potassium Chromate Crystals

Abstract

Electrical conductivity measurements on single crystals of potassium chromate indicate anisotropic behavior in the directions [Formula: see text] to the c0 axis. The cation migration energy, estimated from the conductivity υs. 1/T plots, is slightly higher than the usual value in potassium halides, suggesting the possibility of a different conduction mechanism. The defect formation energy, ∼2.20 eV, is comparable to known values in ionic solids. The phase transformation near 660 °C appears to be a first order transition associated with appreciable hysteresis.