Structural parameters and oxygen ion conductivity of Y2O3–ZrO2 and MgO–ZrO2 at high temperature

• Published in: Ceramics international 2013-12, Vol.39 (8), p.9247-9251
• Main Authors: Yoon, Sanghyeon, Noh, Taimin, Kim, Wook, Choi, Joo, Lee, Heesoo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: B. X-ray methods; C. Ionic conductivity; Ceramics; D. ZrO2; Ionic conductivity; Lattice parameters; Lattices; Magnesium; Phase transformations; Solid electrolytes; Structural change; Yttria stabilized zirconia
• ISSN: 0272-8842; 1873-3956
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2013.05.032

The oxygen ion conductivity of zirconia-based solid electrolytes doped with 8mol% Y2O3–ZrO2 (YSZ) and 9mol% MgO–ZrO2 (Mg-PSZ) at high temperature was investigated in terms of their thermal behavior and structural changes. At room temperature, YSZ showed a single phase with a fluorite cubic structure, whereas Mg-PSZ had a mixture of cubic, tetragonal and some monoclinic phases. YSZ exhibited higher ionic conductivity than Mg-PSZ at temperatures from 600°C to 1250°C because of the existence of the single cubic structure and low activation energy. A considerable increase in the conductivity with increasing temperature was observed in Mg-PSZ, which showed higher ionic conductivity than YSZ within the higher temperature range of 1300–1500°C. A monoclinic-to-tetragonal phase transformation was found in Mg-PSZ and the lattice parameter of the cubic phase increased at 1200°C. The phase transformation and the large lattice free volume contributed to the significant enhancement of the ionic conductivity of Mg-PSZ at high temperatures.