Thermoelectric power and DC conductivity of Li-Cu ferrite

Thermoelectric power (Seebeck coefficient S) and dc conductivity of Li-Cu ferrite in chemical formula Li0.5-0.5xCuxFe2.5-.5xO4 (where x=0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 and1.0) were studied in a wide range of temperature from 300 up to 930 K. On the basis of the sign of Seebeck coefficient all the compositions of 0≤ x≤0.9 are n-type semiconductors except the sample of x=1.0 (CuFe2O4) is p-type at room temperature. It was noticed that the sample of x=1.0 converted to n-type at 350 K, but for the sample of x=0.9, it was expected to convert from n-type to p-type at 240 K. The Fermi energy at absolute zero EF (0) and the density of charge carriers (n) or (p) were determined. From the obtained results, the conduction mechanism of Li-Cu ferrite was discussed. Also, an energy band scheme was suggested.