Electrical Properties of Gadolinium–Europium Zirconate Ceramics

Abstract

(Gd1−xEux)2Zr2O7 (0≤x≤1.0) ceramics are prepared via a solid‐state reaction process at 1973 K for 10 h in air. (Gd1−xEux)2Zr2O7 (0.2≤x≤1.0) ceramics exhibit an ordered pyrochlore‐type structure; however, Gd2Zr2O7 has a disordered defect fluorite‐type structure. Raman spectroscopy analysis indicates that the degree of structural ordering increases with the increase of Eu content. The electrical properties of (Gd1−xEux)2Zr2O7 ceramics are investigated using complex impedance spectroscopy over a frequency range of 0.1 Hz to 20 MHz from 623 to 923 K. Electrical conductivity obeys the Arrhenius equation. Both the activation energy and the preexponential factor for grain conductivity decrease with increasing europium content from Gd2Zr2O7 (x=0) to Eu2Zr2O7 (x=1.0). The measured electrical conductivity of (Gd1−xEux)2Zr2O7 ceramics increases with increasing Eu content and temperature. Electrical conductivity of the pyrochlore‐type materials is higher than that of the defect fluorite‐type material in (Gd1−xEux)2Zr2O7 solid solution systems. The electrical conductivity of (Gd0.4Eu0.6)2Zr2O7 is almost independent of oxygen partial pressure from 1.0 × 10−4 to 1.0 atm. The high ionic transference number of (Gd0.4Eu0.6)2Zr2O7 ceramic at different temperatures proves that conduction is purely ionic with negligible electronic contribution.