Proton Conductivity in Mixed B-Site Doped Perovskite Oxide BaZr0.5In0.25Yb0.25O3-delta

A wet chemical route was used to prepare the oxygen deficient codoped perovskite oxide BaZr0.5In0.25Yb0.25O3-delta. Analysis of X-ray powder diffraction data showed that the sample belongs to the cubic crystal system with space group Pm (3) over barm. Dynamic thermogravimetric (TG) analysis confirmed complete filling of oxygen vacancies (V ''(O)) by protonic defects (OH'(O)) during the hydration process. The proton conductivity was investigated by impedance spectroscopy. The bulk and total conductivities of prehydrated BaZr0.5In0.25Yb0.25O3-delta were found to be 8.5 x 10(-4) and 2.2 x 10(-5) S cm(-1), respectively, at 300 degrees C. The total conductivity in the codoped perovskite oxide was higher compared to that of the respective single doped perovskite oxides with the same doping level. The bulk and grain-boundary mobility and diffusion coefficients of protons were calculated at 200 degrees C using impedance and TG data to obtain the conductivity and proton concentration, respectively. The high bulk diffusivity (2.3 x 10(-7) cm(2) s(-1)) was obtained which indicates that the protons are more free to move in the heavily doped matrix compared to the lightly doped systems where trapping of protons occurs. (C) 2010 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/1.3494119] All rights reserved.