Synthesis, Electrical and Thermal Properties of Bi4V2-xZrxO11 (x=0.0 & 0.02) ceramics

Polycrystalline ceramic samples of Bi4V2-xZrxO11 (x=0.0 & 0.02) have been synthesized by standard solid state reaction method. The formation of the compounds has been verified by room temperature (RT) X-ray diffraction. The frequency and temperature dependent dielectric constant of both the compounds have been measured. The dielectric studies indicate that the materials are highly lossy. The dc conductivity of the materials has been measured as a function of temperature from RT to 653K and their activation energies were calculated using Arrhenius relation sigma = sigma(o)exp(-Ea/kT). The heat capacity and heat flow of both the compounds were determined as a function of temperature using Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC).