Impact of densification on microstructure and transport properties of CaFe5O7

• CaFe5O7 ceramic has been densified by SPS annealings.
• Impact of densification on structural and transport properties have been studied by TEM techniques and thermoelectic measurements.
• A significant improvement of electrical conductivity by a magnitude of 3 is observed above the structural transition expected at 360 K.

Monophasic CaFe5O7 ceramic has been synthesized by solid state route. Its microstructural features have been studied by diffraction techniques and electron microscopy images before and after Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) annealings. This work is completed by measurements of electrical and thermal properties. Especially, attention is focused around the structural and electronic transition at 360 K for which specific heat measurements have revealed a sharp peak. Densification by SPS techniques led to a significant improvement of electrical conductivity above 360 K.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide