Anisotropic Thermal Diffusivity and Conductivity in La-Doped Strontium Niobate Sr2Nb2O7

Abstract

The thermal diffusivity of the La-doped layered perovskite Sr2Nb2O7 parallel and perpendicular to the perovskite layers is reported from room temperature up to 1000°C. The anisotropy persists through an incommensurate-normal ferroelectric phase transformation at 215°C and up to 1000°C, the maximum temperature of our measurements. The thermal conductivity perpendicular to the perovskite layers, derived from the diffusivity in the same direction, calculated using the density and measured heat capacity, has a constant value of 1.05±0.05 W/mK up to 1000°C. Possible explanations for the low thermal conductivity and anisotropy are described.Engineering and Applied Science