Effect of iron doping on the characterization and transport properties of calcium phosphate glassy semiconductors

X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), density (d) and dc conductivity (σ) of the glasses in Fe2O3–CaO–P2O5 system were reported. The dc conductivity in the temperature range 303–453 K was measured. The overall features of these XRD curves confirm the amorphous nature of the present samples. The density of glasses increases from 2.750 to 2.892 g/cm3 with increasing Fe2O3 content as a result of a strengthening of cross-linking within glass network. The glass temperature values (Tg) of the present glasses were larger than those of tellurite glasses. This indicates a higher thermal stability of the glass in the present system. The glasses had conductivities ranging from 10−9 to 10−5 Sm−1 at temperatures from 303 to 453 K. Electrical conduction of the glasses was confirmed to be due to non-adiabatic small polaron hopping and the conduction was primarily determined by hopping carrier mobility.