How does replacing lanthanum ions with calcium ions increase conductivity in lanthanum chromite?

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In the context of conductive ceramics, lanthanum chromite acts as a small polaron conductor. When calcium ions (Ca²⁺) are substituted for lanthanum ions (La³⁺) in the crystal lattice, an equal proportion of chromium ions (Cr³⁺) is converted to Cr⁴⁺ to maintain charge neutrality. This process facilitates the hopping of electrons between the two states of chromium ions (Cr³⁺ and Cr⁴⁺), which results in high electrical conductivity, particularly at elevated temperatures.1