Synthesis and characterization of γ-Bi2O3 based solid electrolyte doped with Nb2O5

Abstract

γ-phase bismuth oxide is a well known high oxygen ion conductor and can be used as an electrolyte for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). This study aims to determine new phases of Bi2O3-Nb2O5 binary system and the temperature dependence of the electrical transport properties. The reaction products obtained in open air atmosphere were characterized by X-ray powder diffractions (XRD). The unit cell parameters were defined from the indexes of the powder diffraction patterns. The γ-Bi2O3 crystal system were obtained by doping 0.01 < mole% Nb2O5 < 0.04 at 750 °C for 48 and 96 h. Thermal behaviour and thermal stability of the phases were investigated by thermal analysis techniques. Surface and grain properties of the related phases were determined by SEM analysis. The temperature dependence of the electrical properties of γ-Bi2O3 solid solution was measured by four-point probe d.c. conductivity method. In the investigated system, the highest value of conductivity was observed for σ T = 0.016 ohm−1 cm−1 at 650 °C on 4 mole% Nb2O5 addition. The electrical conductivity curves of studied materials revealed regular increase with temperature in the form of the Arrhenius type conductivity behaviour.