Effects of Temperature and Near Ultraviolet Light on Current-Voltage Characteristics of Colemanite

We investigate current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the ferroelectric material colemanite at room temperature, at a high temperature, and also under the influence of near ultraviolet light. We demonstrate that all three I-V plots exhibit hysteresis effects, and these new results shed new light on the resistance of colemanite. These novel properties are explained on the basis of its microstructure indicating potential applications in devices with negative resistance as well as in photovoltaic devices.