Synthesis and characterization of mono– or di–valent cations substituted rare earth phosphates and their electrical properties

Substituted rare earth phosphates MREPO₄ [RE = La, Sm, Gd and M= Na and Ca] were prepared using two methods, the first method (I) is wet process and the other (II) is solid-solid reaction. All substituted RE phosphate compounds were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma technique (ICP) and characterized by infrared absorption spectra (IR), X–ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The electrical conductivity also was measured for all prepared samples. The analysis of results indicates that there are a partially substitution for RE cations with mono– or di– cations. On other hand, different compounds, different phases and different structures such as layered, needle, slakes are formed depending on the method of preparation and type of cations.