ELECTRICAL-CONDUCTIVITY AND THERMAL DEHYDRATION STUDIES OF MIXED SINGLE-CRYSTALS OF BACU(C2O4)2-CENTER-DOT-6H(2)O, BA1-XCUXC2O4-CENTER-DOT-4H(2)O AND BA-1-2X(NH4)(2X)C2O4-CENTER-DOT-4H(2)O

The measurement of electrical conductivity for the investigation of the number of water molecules present in the mixed crystals of barium copper oxalate and barium ammonium oxalate lattice have been carried out in the temperature range 30 to 450 degrees C. The dehydration temperature and the number of water molecules removed out of the structure at a particular temperature is estimated from the sharp increase in conductivity at these points. The almost steep increase of conductivity is attributed to the increase in the number of mobile charge carriers H+ and OH- ions generated from the escaping water molecules. The study of electrical conductivity in association with the thermal behaviour has been used to understand the mechanism of conduction.