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.