New Synthetic Route for Reaching Higher Phase Stabilization in LAMOX-Based Electrolyte for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

S-substituted La₂Mo₂O₉ were synthesized by a solid-state procedure employing ammonium sulfate (NH₄)₂SO₄ as a sulfur source. The synthesized powders were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared, and Raman spectroscopies. The results divulged that the stabilization of the β-La₂Mo₂O₉ polymorph occurred in the interval of sulfur composition 0.1≤y≤0.6. This substitution generates a linear dwindling of the unit cell volume. The decomposition of all substituted samples started above 900 °C with a total weight loss linearly dependent on the sulfur content. Electrical studies confirmed that substituting S⁶⁺ for Mo⁶⁺ suppresses the phase transition of La₂Mo₂O₉ and stabilizes the cubic polymorph down to ambient temperature. It was also remarkable that this substitution caused a decrease in the conductivity, and unfortunately, none of the tested compositions allowed exceeding the conductivity of La₂Mo₂O₉. Infrared and Raman spectra confirmed the presence of the characteristic peaks of sulfates and molybdates groups.