Abstract
Synthesis of the proton-conducting electrolyte SrZr0.9Y0.1O3−δ(SZY) was undertaken by the sol–gel method employing an all-alkoxide route from reaction of strontium alkoxide produced in-situ and commercial zirconium and yttrium alkoxides. The solution was homogenized by a previous ligand exchange in 2-methoxyethanol to control the polycondensation rate and achieve SZY at the low final firing temperature of 700–800 °C. SZY thin films (~270 nm) were assisted by dip-coating on different substrates and characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, grazing X-ray diffraction and confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy, revealing well-crystallized SZY phase with orthorhombic symmetry (space group, Pnma). Impedance spectroscopy of a thin film deposited on a quartz substrate revealed that protons contribute to transport in wet conditions as confirmed by a lower conductivity in D2O-humidified air (1.02 eV) compared to H2O-wetted air (0.99 eV), with the difference in activation energy consistent with a conductive isotope effect.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.