Pressure and magnetic field effects on the crystallographic texture and electrical conductivity of the compound

The compound figures among the solid electrolyte materials exhibiting a high oxygen ion conduction. It belongs to the well known BIMEVOX family whose structure originates from the aurivillius phase . The layered structure of these compounds results in a larger bidimensional conductivity in the planes than along the c axis. This physical characteristic is clearly observed in a single crystal, whereas it is completely inhibited in misoriented powders. This paper deals with the means to retrieve this anisotropic conduction from free powders. Powder orientations were obtained using a high magnetic field and a uniaxial pressure. The correlation between the crystallographic texture and the electrical conductivity of this compound is reported here for the first time.