Experimental studies of the electrical conductivity and phase transition in Fe3O4

Abstract

Above the Verwey transition the conduction electrons in Fe3O4 are described best by a band model. Those experimental data interpreted as indicating localized hopping conduction are either not susceptible to definitive interpretations or have been incorrectly interpreted. A band model is also appropriate above the Néel temperature and the influence of magnetic order on the conduction mechanism is only of minor significance. The Verwey transition is complex and involves both electronic and structural aspects. The temperatures of these transitions may be different or identical depending upon the purity of the Fe3O4. Good correlations exist between Mössbauer effect and thermal properties measurements concerning the complexity and qualitative characteristics of the Verwey transition. Resistivity measurements appear to confirm the Mössbauer effect and thermal properties measurements.