Preparation and electrical conductivity of KTaO3-based proton conductor

Abstract

KTaO3 and KTa0.9M0.1O3-α (M = Ti, Hf, Zr) were prepared by solid state reaction at 1330 °C for 2 h and characterized by x-ray diffraction. The AC impedance technique was used to analyze the sintered solid electrolytes in 1%H2/Ar and dry air atmosphere. Among KTa0.9M0.1O3-α (M = Ti, Hf, Zr), KTa0.9Zr0.1O3-α displays the highest conductivity in 1%H2/Ar atmosphere. The carriers transport numbers of solid electrolytes were measured by concentration cell method. The results show KTa0.9Zr0.1O3-α is a pure proton conductor below 525 °C. Stability tests show that KTa0.9Zr0.1O3-α has good chemical stability against CO2 and H2O.