Influence of ZnO additive on the properties of Y-doped BaSnO3 proton conductor

The effects of ZnO additive on the phase formation, microstructure and electrical conduction of Y-doped BaSnO3 have been investigated. The single-phase and dense BaSn0.75Y0.25O3-delta compound with 4 mol% ZnO additive was successfully prepared after sintering at 1300 degrees C, which significantly reduces the sintering temperature. The conductivities measured under dry and wet air atmospheres reveal that the bulk conductivity of BaSn0.71Y0.25Zn0.04O3-delta is much lower than that of BaSn0.75Y0.25O3-delta. However, ZnO as a sintering aid does not affect the bulk conductivity. The total conductivity of BaSn0.75Y0.25O3-delta with ZnO as the sintering aid is slightly higher than that of unmodified BaSn0.75Y0.25O3-delta, and reaches 2.4 x 10(-3) S cm(-1) at 621 degrees C. Therefore, this material can be used as a proton-conducting electrolyte for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.