Studies on structural and electrical properties of Mg (ZrFe) (PO) ceramic electrolytes.

The sample of Mg (Zr Fe) (PO) (0.0 ≤ y ≤0.5) was synthesized using the sol-gel method. The structures of the samples were investigated using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurement. XRD studies showed that samples had a monoclinic structure which was iso-structured with the parent compound, MgZr (PO) . The complex impedance spectroscopy was carried out in the frequency range 1-6 MHz and temperature range 303 to 773 K to study the electrical properties of the electrolytes. The substitutions of Fe with Zr in the MgZr (PO) structure was introduced as an extrainterstitial Mg ion in the modified structured. The compound of Mg (Zr Fe)(PO) with y = 0.4 gives a maximum conductivity value of 1.25 × 10 S cm at room temperature and 7.18 × 10 S cm at 773 K. Charge carrier concentration, mobile ion concentration, and ion hopping rate are calculated by fitting the conductance spectra to power law variation, σ (ω) = σ + Aω . The charge carrier concentration and mobile ion concentration increases with increase of Fe inclusion. This implies the increase in conductivity of the compounds was due to extra interstitial Mg ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]