High temperature transport properties of thermoelectric CaMnO3-d - Indication of strongly interacting small polarons

Abstract

The conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of CaMnO3−δ have been studied at temperatures up to 1000 °C and in atmospheres with controlled oxygen partial pressure. Both transport coefficients were varied in situ by the reversible formation of oxygen vacancies up to δ = 0.15. The charge carrier concentration was calculated using a defect chemical model. The Seebeck coefficient could be approximated by Heikes' formula, while the conductivity shows a maximum at a molar charge carrier concentration of 0.25. These results were interpreted as a signature of strong electronic correlation effects, and it was concluded that charge transport in CaMnO3−δ occurs via strongly interacting small polarons. General prospects for strongly correlated materials as potential candidates for high temperature thermoelectric power generation were discussed. This research was originally published in the Journal of Applied Physics. © AIP Publishing