Formation and electrical conductivity of air-sinterable Nd(Cr1−xMgx)O3

In Mg2+-substituted NdCrO3, single-phase perovskite compounds Nd(Cr1−xMgx)O3, where x=0 to 0.25, have been formed at low temperatures by decomposition of Nd(Cr1−xMgx)O4, which crystallize from amorphous materials prepared by the hydrazine method. Nd(Cr1−xMgx)O3 powders consisting of submicrometer-size particles are highly sinterable; dense materials can be fabricated by sintering for 4 h at 1800 °C under atmospheric pressure. The relative densities, grain sizes, and electrical conductivities increase with increased Mg2+ content. Nd(Cr0.75Mg0.25)O3 materials show an excellent electrical conductivity of 1.4×103 S m−1 at 1000 °C.