Crystal structure and AC conductivity mechanism of [N(C3H7)4]2CoCl4 compound

• The [(C3H7)4N]2CoCl4 compound crystallizes at room temperature in the monoclinic system with P21/c space group.
• The AC conductivity dispersion is analyzed using Jonsher's power law.
• The correlated barrier hopping model (CBH) is the most model to describe the ac electrical conduction for the [(C3H7)4N]2CoCl4 crystal.

We found that the new organic–inorganic compound [N(C3H7)4]2 CoCl4, crystallizes at room temperature in the centrosymmetric monoclinic system with P21/c space group. The atomic arrangement can be described by an alternation of organic and organic–inorganic layers parallel to the (001) plan. Indeed, the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies indicate a presence of three order–disorder phase transitions located at 332, 376 and 441 K. Furthermore, the conductivity was measured in the frequency range from 200 MHz to 5 MHz and temperatures between 318 K and 428 K using impedance spectroscopy. Analysis of the AC conductivity experimental data obtained, and the frequency exponent s with theoretical models reveals that the correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model is the appropriate mechanism for conduction in the title compound. The analysis of the dielectric constants ε′ε′ and ε″ε″ versus temperature, at several frequencies, shows a distribution of relaxation times. This relaxation is probably due to the reorientational dynamics of [N(C3H7)4]+ cations.

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