Impact of Mo⁶⁺ on resistivity of copper ferrite

Two series of copper ferrites are prepared using the chemical compositional formula Cu _1.0−3y Fe _2.0−2x Mo _x+y O_4.0. The resistivity is found to decrease for lower values of Mo while it increases for higher values of Mo. Variation of resistivity as a function of temperature exhibited four regions with three values of transition temperature indicating contribution of different conduction mechanism to each of the region. Significantly in the region –I conduction is reflected its non-dependence of temperature. Further evaluated activation energy values of C series and tetragonal structured materials are higher than other ferrites. These results are explained with different possible mechanisms. - Highlights: • Strong bonds between different metallic ions present in the ferrites are formed. • log ρ Vs 10³/T plots are shown 4 regions with 3 values of transition temperature. • Region –I of log ρ versus 10³/T plots is reflected showing its conduction independence of temperature. • At x=0.02 and y=0.06 computed activation energies are found to be significant.