Sintering and electrical conductivity of calcium-doped three-cation perovskite materials

La_1-xCa_x(B1,B2,B3)O₃ perovskite powders doped with calcium were synthesized and sintered. Calcium doping modified the A-site of the perovskite structure, while the B-site was composed of three cations in equal atomic amounts. Cations on the B-site included cobalt, chromium, iron, manganese, and nickel. Sintering temperature varied from 1200 to 1400 °C in air. Density measurements and microstructure imaging determined effect of composition on sintering. Electrical conductivity of sintered compacts was measured using the four-wire measurement method at temperatures of 300 to 900 °C in air. Electrical properties as a function of composition indicate the effect of calcium doping in combination with varied B-site substitution increases electrical conductivity and improves sintering.