BaZr_0.9Y_0.1O_2.95/Na₂SO₄ composite with enhanced protonic conductivity

Abstract

Heterogeneous composite BaZr_0.1Y_0.9O_2.95/Na₂SO₄ was designed and fabricated with Y-doped BaZrO₃ as matrix and Na₂SO₄ as dispersant by conventional powder processing to improve the total conductivity of barium zirconate. The electrical conduction of the composite was studied by electrical and electrochemical methods. Microstructure of the heterogeneous composite was examined by SEM. The experimewtal results show that the protonic conductivity of Y-doped BaZrO₃ is greatly improved upon incorporating Na₂SO₄ in the material. Microstructure observation indicates that a multiphase structure with Na₂SO₄ disperses at the grain boundaries of BaZr_0.1Y_0.9O_2.95. Electromotive force (EMF) measurements under fuel cell conditions reveal that the total ionic transport number of the composite is more than 0.9 at 750 °C.

Keywords

BaZr_0.1Y_0.9O_2.95/Na₂SO₄ composite / electrical properties / proton conductor

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