DC conductivity studies in K3Na(SeO4)2 single crystals

DC electrical conductivity studies were carried out along the three crystallographic axes for Tripotassium sodium diselenate (K3Na(SeO4)2 or KNSe). Earlier studies of phase transition in this crystal show successive phase transitions at 334 K, 346 K, 730 K, and 758 K. In this paper we report the dc electrical conductivity measurements in the temperature region 303 K – 430 K along a, b and c – axes. An anomaly in conductivity was obtained around 341 K and another one around 333 K. These can be attributed as due to phase transitions in this crystal. A strong anomaly also has been observed along the c-axis and comparatively week one along a and b axes around 395 K for the first time. This can be due to newly observed phase transition in the crystal. DSC taken for the sample also shows endothermic peak supporting the occurrence of newly observed phase transition. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)