Muon spin relaxation study of the proton conductor HZr 2(PO 4) 3

Abstract

Muon spin relaxation has been used to study the implantation and dynamics of muons in the proton conductor HZr 2(PO 4) 3 as a function of temperature. Muons are implanted at two different sites. One can be identified as H 2Oμ + on the basis of its low temperature second moment, Δ ω 0 2. The other site is less well defined, Δ ω 0 2 suggests P-O-μ with an associated hydrogen. Dynamic averaging of the nuclear field is observed for H 2Oμ + above ca. 160 K, whereas no dynamic processes are observed for the P-O-μ below 400 K. Above 400 K, further averaging of the nuclear field of both sites takes place which is attributed to translational diffusion of the muon through the lattice.