Electrical,thermal and infrared studies of cerium(III) orthovanadate

Cerium(III) orthovanadate with a small deviation from stoichiometric composition is ap-type semiconductor between 30 and 800°C. The electrical conduction in cerium(III) orthovanadate is due to thermally activated hopping of holes on equivalent Ce³⁺-Ce⁴⁺ lattice sites. The DTA result of CeVO₄ indicated a possible phase transition at about 70°C. The IR spectrum of the sample showed bands at 865 and 810 cm⁻¹, typical of VO₄ group of orthovanadates.