Influence of Ca content and oxygen partial pressure on microstructural evolution of (Co,Ca)O at elevated temperatures

Summary Ca‐doped (1, 1.7, 5 and 10 mol% CaO) cobalt oxide single‐crystal samples, with an [001] orientation, were annealed at elevated temperatures of 1000–1200 °C for different times and at different oxygen partial pressures. The microstructure was examined by means of transmission light and electron microscopy. High‐temperature X‐ray diffractometry was used, with the aim of determining the temperature of the CoO ⇔ Co3O4 transition in these materials. Extensive precipitation of Ca‐free Co3O4 spinel crystals was observed with increasing Ca content and oxygen activity. It is suggested that the electrical conductivity changes in this material may be related to this precipitation, because it changes the electronic state of cobalt cations.