Dielectric characterization of gadolinium tartrate trihydrate crystals

Single crystals of gadolinium tartrate trihydrate have been grown by gel diffusion technique. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the crystals belong to the tetragonal system with non-centrosymmetric space group. The dielectric constant, dielectric loss and ac conductivity have been measured as a function of frequency in the range 1 kHz–5 MHz and temperature range 20–300 °C. The dielectric constant increases with temperature, attains a peak around 240 °C and then decreases as the temperature exceeds 240 °C. The dielectric anomaly at 240 °C is suggested to be due to phase transition brought about in the material, which is further supported by the thermal studies. The variation of ac conductivity with temperature has been measured and the material is suggested to show protonic conductivity.