DC conductivity and polarisation in iron phosphate glasses

Thermally stimulated polarisation (TSPC) and depolarisation current (TSDC) techniques were used to study polarisation and conduction in xFe(2)O(3)(100 -x)P2O5, (14 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 47) glasses. TSD C peaks located between 196 and 262 K were attributed to polarisation cause d by intrinsic dipolar defects Electronic conductivity was analysed in term s of small polaron hopping. DC conductivity depended upon iron oxide conten t and distance between iron ions. With increasing Fe2O3 iron ions are close r and de conductivity increases. The increase in conductivity and decrease in activation energy are related to iron cluster formation in which charge transfer takes place along a chain of such clusters.