Conductivity,oxygen interfacial exchange and diffusion in oxides based on lanthanum gallate

The method of isotopic exchange was used to study the oxygen exchange kinetics in the oxides of La_0.88Sr_0.12Ga_0.82Mg_0.18O_{3 − δ} and La_0.80Sr_0.20Ga_0.85−x Mg_0.15Co _x O_{3 − δ} (x = 0.05, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25). The rates of oxygen exchange and its diffusion coefficients were determined in the temperature range of 600–900°C at the oxygen pressure of 5 torr. The fractions of the three exchange types for the oxides studied were determined at the temperature of 817°C and oxygen pressure of 5 torr. The total conductivity of the oxides of La_0.80Sr_0.20Ga_0.85−x Mg_0.15Co _x O_{3 − δ} (x = 0.05, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25) was measured in the temperature range of 550–850°C in air and at the temperature of 800°C in the range of oxygen pressures of 1–760 torr. It was shown that an increase in the electronic conductivity component due to an increase in the cobalt fraction in the gallium sublattice results in growing interfacial exchange rate, total conductivity of the studied systems, and a decrease in the effective conductivity activation energy.     

Synthesis and properties of fuel cell anodes based on (La0.5 + x Sr0.5 − x )1 − y Mn0.5Ti0.5O3 − δ (x = 0–0.25, y = 0–0.03)

Results are presented of studying electrochemical properties of perovskite-like solid solutions (La_{0.5 + x} Sr_{0.5 ? x} )_{1 ? y} Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_{3 ? δ} (x = 0–0.25, y = 0–0.03) synthesized using the citrate technique and studied as oxide anodic materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis is used to establish that the materials are stable in a wide range of oxygen chemical potential, stable in the presence of 5 ppm H₂S in the range of intermediate temperatures, and also chemically compatible with the solid electrolyte of La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.8Mg_0.15Co_0.05O_{3 ? δ} (LSGMC). It is shown that transition to a reducing atmosphere results in a decrease in electron conductivity that produced a significant effect on the electrochemical activity of porous electrodes. Model cells of planar SOFC on a supporting solid-electrolyte membrane (LSGMC) with anodes based on (La_0.6Sr_0.4)_0.97Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_{3 ? δ} and (La_0.75Sr_0.25)_0.97Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_{3 ? δ} and a cathode of Sm_0.5Sr_0.5CoO_{3 ? δ} are manufactured and tested using the voltammetry technique.     

Isotopic Exchange and Oxygen Diffusion in the La0.88Sr0.12Ga0.82Mg0.18O3 – α–Molecular Oxygen System

The oxygen isotopic exchange kinetics in La_0.88Sr_0.12Ga_0.82Mg_0.18O_{3 –} and in the same electrolyte whose surface layer is enriched with cobalt ions is studied. Rates of different types of exchange and oxygen isotope diffusion coefficients in oxide are determined at 970–1200 K and oxygen pressures of 400–1200 Pa. The activation energy for the interphase oxygen exchange and the order of heteroexchange vs. oxygen pressure relationship are determined. The presence of cobalt ions in the near-surface layer alters the surface exchange parameters, such as the oxygen heteroexchange rate (which increases), order of the heteroexchange vs. oxygen pressure relationship, and the ratio between rates of different exchange types. The oxygen isotope diffusion coefficients coincide in both electrolytes but differ from those calculated from the electroconductivity data with the Nernst–Einstein equation.     

Transport properties and stability of Ni-containing mixed conductors with perovskite- and K2NiF4-type structure

The total conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of a series of Ni-containing phases, including La₂Ni_1−xM_xO_4+δ (M=Co, Cu; x=0.1-0.2) with K₂NiF₄-type structure and perovskite-like La_0.90Sr_0.10Ga_0.65Mg_0.15Ni_0.20O_3−δ and La_0.50Pr_0.50Ga_0.65Mg_0.15Ni_0.20O_3−δ, were studied in the oxygen partial pressure range from 10⁻¹⁸ Pa to 50 kPa at 973-1223 K. Within the phase stability domain, the conductivity of layered nickelates is predominantly p-type electronic and occurs via small-polaron mechanism, indicated by temperature-activated hole mobility and p(O₂) dependencies of electrical properties. In oxidizing conditions similar behavior is characteristic of Ni-containing perovskites, which exhibit, however, significant ionic contribution to the transport processes. The role of ionic conduction increases with decreasing p(O₂) and becomes dominant in reducing atmospheres. All nickelate-based phases decompose at oxygen pressures considerably lower with respect to Ni/NiO boundary. The partial substitution of nickel in La₂Ni(M)O_4+δ has minor effect on the stability limits, which are similar to that of La_0.90Sr_0.10Ga_0.65Mg_0.15Ni_0.20O_3−δ. On the contrary, praseodymium doping enhances the stability of La_0.50Pr_0.50Ga_0.65Mg_0.15Ni_0.20O_3−δ down to p(O₂) values as low as 10⁻¹⁷-10⁻¹⁰ Pa at 1023-1223 K.     

Relationship between the ionic and electronic partial conductivities of co-doped LSGM ceramics from oxygen partial pressure dependence of the total conductivity

La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.85-x Mg_0.15Co _x O_3±δ-materials (further cobalt-doped LSGM), where x varied from 0 to 0.20, were synthesized by means of the conventional powder route. The total conductivity of the La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.85-x Mg_0.15Co _x O_3±δ samples was measured as a function of temperature (400–900 °C) and oxygen partial pressure by means of the impedance technique. The values of the oxygen ionic and the hole conductivities were determined from non-linear regression of the oxygen partial pressure dependence of the total conductivity. It was shown that the substitution of gallium by cobalt in the LSGM results in increasing either the oxygen ionic or the hole conductivity, although the increase of the hole conductivity due to the doping by cobalt is more significant than the increase of the oxygen ionic conductivity. The hole conductivity of the selected compositions was studied by oxygen permeation- and Hebb–Wagner-polarization measurements.     

Aging of electrolyte La0.88Sr0.12Ga0.82Mg0.18O3 − δ made using magnetic-pulse compaction

Ceramics of the La_0.88Sr_0.12Ga_0.82Mg_0.18O_{3 ? δ} solid electrolyte was obtained by magnetic-pulse compaction (MPC) of a powder synthesized using the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis technique with further sintering at 1380°C. Conductivity and its change in time were studied. It was shown that conductivity of fresh samples coincides with conductivity of ceramics obtained using the classical solid-phase synthesis. It was established that conductivity of electrolyte decreased by 18% during isothermal exposure at 700°C for 1 year.     

Characteristics of the La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.8Co0.2O3 − δ electrode in contact with the lanthanum gallate-based electrolyte

Lowering the working temperature of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is the main trend in their development, which requires selection of materials for electrolyte and electrodes. A highly conducting lanthanum gallate-based electrolyte is a promising material for creating medium-temperature SOFCs. The electrochemical characteristics of the La_0.6Sr_0.4Fe_0.8Co_0.2O_{3 ? δ} cathode that contacted with the La_0.88Sr_0.12Ga_0.82Mg_0.18O_2.85 electrolyte subject to electrode formation temperatures have been investigated. It was found that at optimum bake-on temperatures of 1200–1250°C, the cathode polarization resistance at 800°C was ～0.08 Ohm cm², which is comparable to the world’s best achievements.     

Investigations of the LaGa1−xNixO3−δ (x < 0.50) system in the scope of SOFC's: synthesis and physical characterizations

The preparation and densification (95 %) of ceramics of the new solid solution LaGa_1−xNixO_3−δ have been carried out for x ≤ 0.50. The chemical analysis of the materials shows that both the oxygen nonstoichiometry amount (δ) and the electron carrier concentration increase with the substitution of nickel for gallium. Whereas LaGaO₃ is an insulator, the Ni-doped phases are semi-conducting and behave as a metal for the highest nickel contents. The dilatometric features versus temperature show these materials to be mechanically compatible with the electrolyte La_0.90Sr_0.10Ga_0.80Mg_0.20O_2.85. In addition their chemical composition does not change at high temperature. All these characteristics make these materials good candidates as cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells.     

Phase composition, electroconductivity, oxygen ion transport number, and microhardness of Ln1 ? xSrxGa0.5 ? y/2Al0.5 ? y/2MgyO3 ? δ (Ln = La, Pr, Nd; x, y = 0.10, 0.15)

Phase composition, electroconductivity, oxygen ion transport number, and microhardness of samples of Ln_{1 − x} Sr_xGa_{0.5 − y/2}Al_{0.5 − y/2}Mg_yO_{3 − δ} (Ln = La, Pr, Nd; x, y = 0.10, 0.15) synthesized by a ceramic methods are studied. Methods of x-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy reveal the La-containing samples to be homogeneous and have a perovskite structure. Magnesium does not dissolve in Pr-and Nd-containing systems but forms an individual phase based on magnesium oxide. Apart from magnesium oxide, in these systems there form extrinsic phases, specifically, LnSrGa₃O₇ and an unknown phase. The electroconductivity of La_{1 − x} Sr_xGa_{1 − y} Mg_yO_{3 − δ} decreases after substituting Al for Ga. Ceramic La_{1 − x} Sr_xGa_{0.5 − y/2}Al_{0.5 − y/2}Mg_yO_3−δ is a purely ionic conductor in the temperature interval 500 to 1000°C; Nd_xSr_xGa_{0.5 − y/2}Al_{0.5 − y/2}Mg_yO_{3 − δ} has predominantly ionic conduction; and the predominant type of conduction in Pr_{1 − x} Sr_xGa_{0.5 − y/2}Al_{0.5 − y/2}Mg_yO_{3 − δ} is electronic below 700–800°C, with the contribution of ionic conduction increasing at higher temperatures. Substituting Al for Ga raises the hardness of ceramics under study. Among the compositions studied, La_0.85Sr_0.15Ga_0.45Al_0.45Mg_0.10O_{3 − δ} and La_0.85Sr_0.15Ga_0.425Al_0.425Mg_0.15O_{3 − δ} exhibit a combination of electroconductivity and hardness that is optimal for application as electrolyte at reduced temperatures (600–800°C). The Pr_{1 − x} Sr_xGa_{0.5 − y/2}Al_{0.5 − y/2}Mg_yO_{3 − δ} system possesses mixed ionic-electronic conduction and high hardness, which makes it appealing for application as oxygen-penetrable membranes. Original Russian Text ? Yu.V. Danilov, A.D. Neuimin, L.A. Dunyushkina, L.A. Kuz’mina, N.S. Zybko, Z.S. Martem’yanova, A.A. Pankratov, 2007, published in Elektrokhimiya, 2007, Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 57–65.     

Crystal structure and high-temperature electrical conductivity of novel perovskite-related gallium and indium oxides

Novel complex oxides Sr₂Ga_1+x In_1?x O₅, x?=?0.0–0.2 with brownmillerite-type structure were prepared in air at T?=?1,273 K, 24 h. Study of the crystal structure of Sr₂Ga_1.1In_0.9O₅ refined using X-ray powder diffraction data (S.G. Icmm, a?=?5.9694(1) Å, b?=?15.2091(3) Å, c?=?5.7122(1) Å, χ ²?=?2.48, R _F ²? ₌?0.0504, R _p?=?0.0458) revealed ordering of Ga³⁺ and In³⁺ cations over tetrahedral and octahedral positions, respectively. A partial replacement of Sr²⁺ by La³⁺ according to formula Sr_1?y La _y Ga_0.5In_0.5O_2.5+y/2, leads to the formation of a cubic perovskite (a?=?4.0291(5) Å) for y?=?0.3. No ordering of oxygen vacancies or cations was observed in Sr_0.7La_0.3Ga_0.5In_0.5O_2.65 as revealed by electron diffraction study. The trace diffusion coefficient (D _T) of oxygen for cubic perovskite Sr_0.7La_0.3Ga_0.5In_0.5O_2.65 is in the range 2.0?×?10^?9–6.3?×?10^?8 cm²/s with activation energy 1.4(1)?eV as determined by isotopic exchange depth profile technique using secondary ion mass spectrometry at 973–1,223 K. These values are close to those reported for Ca-doped ZrO₂. High-temperature electrical conductivity of Sr_0.7La_0.3Ga_0.5In_0.5O_2.65 studied by AC impedance was found to be nearly independent on oxygen partial pressure. Calculated values of activation energy at T?<?1,073 K for hole and oxide-ion conductivities are 0.96 and 1.10 eV, respectively.     

Vacancy ordering and oxygen dynamics in oxide ion conducting La1−xSrxGa1−xMgxO3−x ceramics: Ga, Mg and O NMR

The oxygen vacancies distribution in the rigid lattice and the thermally activated motion of oxygen atoms are studied in La_1−xSr_xGa_1−xMg_xO_3−x (x=0.00; 0.05; 0.10; 0.15 and 0.20) compounds. For that ⁷¹Ga, ²⁵Mg and ¹⁷O NMR was performed from 100 K up to 670 K, and ion conductivity measurements were carried out up to 1273 K. The comparison of the electric field gradients at the Ga- and Mg-sites evidences that oxygen vacancies appear exclusively near gallium cations as a species trapped below room temperature in local clusters, GaO_5/2-□-GaO_5/2. These clusters decay at higher temperature into mobile constituents of the structural octahedra Ga(O_5/6□_1/6)_6/2. At the same time, the nearest octahedral oxygen environment of magnesium cations persists at different doping levels. The case of two adjacent vacant anion sites is found highly unlikely within the studied doping range. The thermally activated oxygen motion starts to develop above room temperature as is observed from both the motional narrowing of ¹⁷O NMR spectra and the ¹⁷O nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate. The obtained results show that two types of motion exist, a slow motion and a fast one. The former is a long-range diffusion whereas the latter is a local back and forth oxygen jumps between two adjacent anion sites. These sites are strongly differentiated by the probability of the vacancy formation, like the vacant apical site and the occupied equatorial site in the orthorhombic compositions x <0.15.     

Temperature dependence of the polarization resistance of the O<Subscript>2</Subscript>,Au/La<Subscript>0.88</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.12</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>0.82</Subscript>Mg<Subscript>0.18</Subscript>O<Subscript>2.85</Subscript> electrode system

The impedance of a porous gold electrode in contact with solid electrolyte La_0.88Sr_0.12Ga_0.82Mg_0.18O_2.85 and the effect of the manufacture conditions on its polarization resistance are studied at 600–800°C in air. The overall oxygen reaction rate on a gold electrode is described as the sum of two partial constituents, namely, the oxygen exchange at the gas/electrolyte interface at the gold/gas/electrolyte triple-phased boundary.Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 2, 2005, pp. 190–197.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Shkerin, Sokolova, Khlupin, Beresnev.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with corrections to the article note and article title and cover date.     

Phase equilibriums, oxygen exchange kinetics and diffusion in oxides CaZr1 ? x Sc x O3 ? x/2 ? δ

Oxides CaZr_{1 ? x} Sc _x O_{3 ? x/2 - ??} (x = 0.00?C0.20) were synthesized according to the ceramic technology. The solubility boundary of scandium with formation of solid solutions on the basis of calcium zirconate CaZrO_{3 ? ??} corresponds to x = 0.07?C0.08. The second phase of CaSc₂O₄ is present in the samples with scandium content of x = 0.10, 0.15, 0.20. Its fraction grows at an increase in x. The method of full-profile Rietveld analysis was used to calculate the structure parameters for oxides CaZr_0.99Sc_0.01O_{2.995 ? ??} and CaZr_0.95Sc_0.05O_{2.975 ? ??}. The method of isotopic exchange with gas phase analysis was used to study the kinetics of gas-phase oxygen interaction with the CaZr_0.95Sc_0.05O_{2.975 ? ??} oxide in the temperature range of 700?C850°C and at oxygen pressures of 0.13?C6.67 kPa. The values of effective activation energies of the oxygen exchange and diffusion processes were 1.36 ± 0.32 and 1.92 ± 0.21 eV, accordingly. The dependence of the interphase exchange rate on the pressure of oxygen corresponds to the power law with the exponent of 0.31 ± 0.04 at the temperature of 750°C.     

Electroconduction of Solid Electrolyte La0.88Sr0.12Ga0.82Mg0.18O2.85: Effect of a Prolonged Exposure

The overall resistance and resistances of the bulk and grain boundaries of solid electrolyte La_0.8Sr_0.12Ga_0.82Mg_0.18O_2.85 kept for a long time in air at 773-1073 K are studied by impedance spectroscopy. The increase in the electrolyte resistance with time is shown to be connected with that in the resistance of grain boundaries.     

Fabrication of multilayer ceramic structure for fuel cell based on La(Sr)Ga(Mg)O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–La(Sr)Fe(Ga)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> cathode

Fabrication by co-sintering method of a multilayer pore-free electrode–electrolyte structure promising for use in solid-oxide fuel cell and its characteristics have been studied. A material with high ionic conductivity of La_0.88Sr_0.12Ga_0.82Mg_0.18O_3–δ (LSGM) served as electrolyte. The composite electrode was formed from a 1: 2 mixture of LSGM and LSFG (La_0.7Sr_0.3Fe_0.95Ga_0.05O_3–δ). The maximum temperature of the materials co-sintering ability is 1250°C. It was shown by the impedance spectroscopy that the polarization resistance of the LSGM–LSFG electrode is 0.14 Ω cm² at 800°C.     

Electrical, electrochemical, and thermomechanical properties of perovskite-type (La1?x Sr x )1?y Mn0.5Ti0.5O3?δ (x?=?0.15–0.75, y?=?0–0.05)

Strontium additions in (La_1?x Sr _x )_1?y Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_3?δ (x?=?0.15–0.75, y?=?0–0.05) having a rhombohedrally distorted perovskite structure under oxidizing conditions lead to the unit cell volume contraction, whilst the total conductivity, thermal and chemical expansion, and steady-state oxygen permeation limited by surface exchange increase with increasing x. The oxygen partial pressure dependencies of the conductivity and Seebeck coefficient studied at 973–1223?K in the p(O₂) range from 10^?19 to 0.5?atm suggest a dominant role of electron hole hopping and relatively stable Mn³⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ states. Due to low oxygen nonstoichiometry essentially constant in oxidizing and moderately reducing environments and to strong coulombic interaction between Ti⁴⁺ cations and oxygen anions, the tracer diffusion coefficients measured by the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O isotopic exchange depth profile method with time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometric analysis are lower compared to lanthanum–strontium manganites. The average thermal expansion coefficients determined by controlled-atmosphere dilatometry vary in the range 9.8–15.0?×?10^?6?K^?1 at 300–1370?K and oxygen pressures from 10^?21 to 0.21?atm. The anodic overpotentials of porous La_0.5Sr_0.5Mn_0.5Ti_0.5O_3?δ electrodes with Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_2-δ interlayers, applied onto LaGaO₃-based solid electrolyte, are lower compared to (La_0.75Sr_0.25)_0.95Cr_0.5Mn_0.5O_3?δ when no metallic current-collecting layers are introduced. However, the polarization resistance is still high, ~2 Ω?×?cm² in humidified 10?% H₂–90?% N₂ atmosphere at 1073?K, in correlation with relatively low electronic conduction and isotopic exchange rates. The presence of H₂S traces in H₂-containing gas mixtures did not result in detectable decomposition of the perovskite phases.     

Behavior of manganite electrodes in contact with LSGM electrolyte: the nature of low electrochemical activity

The electrochemical cells with electrodes based on La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ (LSM) and supporting solid electrolytes La_0.88Sr_0.12Ga_0.82Mg_0.18O_2.85 (LSGM) and Ce_0.80Sm_0.20O_1.90 (SDC) were studied comparatively. Characteristics of LSM electrodes and composite electrodes comprising a mixture of LSM and electrolytes of different origins [LSGM, SDC, and Zr_0.82Sc_0.18O_1.91 (SSZ) in the mass ratio of 1:1] were analyzed. It was shown that: 1) the electrode polarization conductivity and the ohmic resistance of the cells with the LSM–LSGM composite electrodes on the LSGM and SDC electrolytes had very similar values, while they were largely different from all the other electrodes, 2) the electrochemical activity of the electrodes on the SDC electrolyte was much higher than on the LSGM electrolyte, and 3) the ohmic resistance of the cells with the SDC electrolyte corresponded to the electrolyte resistance, whereas, the ohmic resistance of the cells with the LSGM electrolyte was much larger than the electrolyte resistance. The obtained results are due to the interaction between the LSM and LSM-containing electrodes with the LSGM electrolyte during sintering, leading to the formation of a product with a very low conductivity.     

Prediction of transport properties of new functional materials based on lanthanum-strontium cuprates: Molecular mechanics calculations

The method of molecular dynamics is used for prediction of properties of new functional materials based on lanthanum-strontium cuprates La_{2 ? x} Sr _x CuO_{4 ? δ} as new materials of the solid state ionics. The most interesting phases are synthesized to test the obtained calculation data and their electrophysical and thermomechanical characteristics are studied. It is shown that the high values of the oxygen diffusion coefficients are obtained in the La_{2 ? x} Sr _x CuO_{4 ? δ} solid solutions with a high replacement degree of Sr → La (up to x = 1). The calculated values of lattice cell parameters, thermal expansion coefficients and oxygen diffusion coefficients agree with the experimental data. The observed anisotropy of anionic transport for all the studied compositions corresponds to the regularities of crystal structure of complex oxides. Using the molecular dynamics method allows tracing the contribution of separate types of oxygen ions (equatorial and apical) into ionic transport at the microscopic level and also confirming directly that oxygen diffusion occurs according to the usual jump mechanism, mainly in (CuO₂) layers.     

Electroconductivity and nature of ion transfer in La1 − x Sr x Sc1 − y Mg y O3 − α system (0.01 ≤ x = y ≤ 0.20) in dry and humid air

The conductivity and ion and proton transfer numbers were measured in La_{1 ? x} Sr _x Sc_{1 ? y} Mg _y O_{3 ? α} system (x = y = 0.10–0.20). The partial conductivities (total ion, proton, oxygen, hole) and their effective activation energies were calculated. The measurements were carried out in air with respect to humidity (pH₂O = 0.04?2.65 kPa) within the temperature range from 630 to 920°C.