Electrical properties of Ln2Mo2O7 pyrochlores (Ln=SmYb,Y)

Cubic oxide pyrochlores, Ln₂Mo₂O₇, Ln=SmYb,Y, (Nd_1?xA_x), A=Er and Yb; 0 < x < 1.0, have been synthesized and electrical properties were examined in the range 77-600K. Semiconductor behavior is observed for Ln=EuYb, Y but the resistivity and E_a are low. Sm₂Mo₂O₇ and Nd_1?xYb_xMo₂O₇ (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.1) exhibit semimetallic or metallic behavior. The mechanism of conduction in these compounds is explained on the basis of band model proposed by Sleight et al.