Electrical properties of the GdSmZr2O7 ceramic under different sintering conditions

Abstract: The GdSmZr2O7 ceramic is prepared by pressureless-sintered method under different conditions as a possible solid electrolyte. The crystal structure, microstructure and electrical properties are characterized by the X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and ac impedance spectroscopy, respectively. The GdSmZr2O7 ceramic exhibits a single phase of the pyrochlore-type structure. The total conductivity of the GdSmZr2O7 ceramic obeys the Arrhenius relation, and gradually increases with increasing temperature from 723 to 1173K. The GdSmZr2O7 ceramic is an oxide-ion conductor in the oxygen partial pressure range of 1.0×10−4 to 1.0atm at all test temperature levels. According to the experimental results of the present work, the maximum value of the total conductivity for the GdSmZr2O7 ceramic is about 1.01×10−2 Scm−1 at 1173K. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]