Synthesis and characterization of Bi-doped zirconia for solid electrolyte

(100-x)ZrO₂(x)Bi₂O₃ (x = 5, 10, 15) system has been synthesized by solid-state reaction technique. Tetragonal Bi_7.38Zr_0.62O_12.31 phase has formed in all the samples after sintering at 850 °C for 24 h. Apart from this, ZrO₂ and Bi₂O₃ are also identified as minority phases. The volume fraction of Bi_7.38Zr_0.62O_12.31 phase increases with increasing concentration of Bi₂O₃. The AC conductivity plots exhibit phase transition at 570 °C and 460 °C for x = 10 and x = 15 samples, respectively. The maximum conductivity is observed (1.60 mS/cm) in x = 15 sample. These results are correlated and supported with microstructural and thermal analysis.