Synthesis and characterization of dense proton-conducting BaZr1-xYxO3 (x=0÷0.15) ceramics

Abstract

In this paper, a technique for high-density BaZr1-xYxO3-6(x=0÷0.15) ceramics producing without the use of sintering additives is discussed. The obtained perovskite-like oxides are single-phase at the yttrium concentration of x=0÷0.1. For single-phase compounds, the lattice parameter increases when the yttrium addition rises. The microstructure of the produced samples was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Measurements of the thermal expansion and the total conductivity of BaZr1-xYxO3-8materials at different humidity evidence about the absence of phase transitions. The values of the specific conductivity depending on the temperature, the concentration of the acceptor impurity as well as the composition of the gas phase were implemented by the DC 4-probe method. In addition, the dependences of the effective activation energies on the conditions listed above are shown.