Electrical Conduction in Co1-χMgχO

Electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power were measured on Co_1-χMg_χO (0.16χ 0.87) at 900° to 1200°C. Electrical conductivity σ decreased and the activation energy increased with increasing MgO content. Seebeck coefficient α appeared to be positive for all χ. The difference in temperature dependence of σ and α was 0.2 to 0.5 eV and the hole mobility decreased with increasing MgO content. The results were interpreted as showing that electron holes were localized to cation clusters and their thermally activated hopping conduction was operative in the solid solution. The dominant lattice defect changed from singly to doubly ionized cobalt vacancy with increasing MgO content.