The System Bi2O,—B2O3

The phase diagram for the system Bi₂O₃-B₂O₃ has been determined experimentally. The melting point of Bi₂O₃ has been redetermined as 825° C with an estimated overall uncertainty of about ±3°C, and the molal heat of fusion of Bi₂O₃, calculated from the slope of the liquidus curve, is 2050 cal per mole. The system contains a body-centered cubic phase of approximate composition 12Bi₂O₃·B₂O₃, which melts incongruently at 632°C. Four congruently melting compounds exist in the system: 2Bi₂O₃· B₂O₃·5B₂O₃, Bi₂O₃·3B₂O₃, and Bi₂O₃·4B₂O₃, with melting points, respectively, of 675°, 722°, 708°, and 715°C. The Bi₂O₃·4B₂O₃ compound exhibits a sluggish transformation at 696°C. Compositions containing up to 97.5 wt% (85 mole %) Bi₂O₃ can be partly or totally quenched to glass. Indices of the quenched glasses are greater than 1.74. A region of liquid immiscibility extends at 709°C from almost pure B₂O₃ to 19.0 mole % Bi₂O₃. The extent of immiscibility theoretically calculated agrees with the experimentally determined value when 1.20 A is used for the ionic radius of Bi³⁺.     

Solution of hydrochloric acid in formamide—V. Thermodynamic properties from EMF of the cell Pt,H2|HCl(m)|Hg2Cl2, Hg over a temperature range 5–55°C (278.15–328.15 K)

The emf of cells (A) Pt, H₂|HCl(m)|Hg₂Cl₂, Hg and (C). AgAgCl|HCl(m)|Hg₂Cl₂, Hg have been measured at intervals of 5°C over the temperature range 5–55°C (278.15–328.15 K) using formamide as the solvent. The molal standard potentials of Hg, Hg₂Cl₂ electrode, determined on the basis of emf data of cell (A), agree well with those derived from the emf of cell (C) using known values of E⁰_Ag-AgCl reported earlier. Based on emf data of these cells, the standard thermodynamic changes ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰ for the cell reactions as well as the mean molal activity coefficients of HCl at rounded molalities have been determined.     

Dielectric stability in the relaxor: Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-Ba0.8Ca0.2TiO3-Bi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3- NaNbO3 ceramic system

Ceramics with temperature-stable dielectric characteristics have been developed in the system: 0.6[0.85Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃-(0.15-x)Ba_0.8Ca_0.2TiO₃-xBi(Mg_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃]?0.4NaNbO₃, x ≤ 0.15. Dielectric measurements exhibited relaxor ferroelectric characteristics with temperature-stable relative permittivity from ε_r~1330 ± 15% in the temperature range from ?70?°C to 215?°C and tanδ ≤ 0.02 from ?20?°C to 380?°C for x = 0 compositions. For the Bi(Mg_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃ modified compositions the temperature range of stable relative permittivity extended from ?70?°C to 400?°C, with ε_r ~ 950 ± 15% and tanδ ≤ 0.02 from ?70?°C to 260?°C. Values of dc resistivity were ~ 10⁸ Ω?m at a temperature of 300?°C and the corresponding RC constant values were in the range from 0.40 ? 0.78?s at 300?°C. All ceramic samples exhibited a linear polarisation-electric field response at maximum applied electric field of 5?kV/cm (1?kHz).     

Condensed Phase Relations in the Systems ZrO2-WO2-WO3 and HfO2-WO2-WO3

Phase relations for the systems ZrO₂–WO₂–WO₃ and HfO₂–WO₂–WO₃ from 1000° to 1700° C were determined by the quenching technique using sealed sample containers. In the system ZrO₂–WO₃, 1:2 compound, ZrW₂O₈ forms, having a cubic structure with a= 9.159 A. The ZrW₂O₈ melts incongruently at 1257°± 3°C to ZrO₂ and liquid and has a lower limit of stability at 1105°C, below which ZrO₂ and WO₃ coexist in equilibrium. One eutectic and one peritectic were established: at 1231°± 3°C and 74 mole % WO₃, and at 1257°± 3°C and 71 mole % WO₃, respectively. Along the join ZrO₂–WO₂, no compound formed. Two invariant points were determined: ZrO₂, WO₂, W, and liquid are in equilibrium at 1430°± 5°C and 76 mole % WO₂, whereas WO₂, W₁₈O₄₉, W, and liquid coexist at 1530°± 5°C and 89 mole % WO₂- Equilibrium relations in the system ZrO₂–WO₂–WO₃ were investigated at four temperatures. At 1200°C, a cubic phase with composition near W₂₀O₅₈ was found; it exists in equilibrium with ZrO₂, W₁₈O₄₉, W₂₀O₅₈, and WO₃. As the temperature increases, the liquid formed along the ZrO₂–WO₃ join extends into the ternary system, crosses the join ZrO₂–W₂₀O₅₈ at 1300°C, and crosses the join ZrO₂–W₁₈O₄₉ at 1400°C. The cubic phase can take more zirconium into its solid solution at 1300° than at 1200°C. At 1500°C, the system can no longer be treated as a simple ternary oxide system because of the presence of metallic tungsten, and equilibrium relations are presented on the basis of the system ZrO₂–W–WO₃. Phase equilibrium relations in the systems HfO₂–WO₃, HfO₂–WO₂, and HfO₂–WO₂–WO₃ in the temperature ranges studied are much like those in the corresponding zirconium system.     

Rate of formation of C3S in the system CaOSiO2Al2O3Fe2O3MgO with addition of CaF2

The influence of CaF₂ on the kinetics of the reaction C+C₂S → C₃S in five-component diffusion sandwiches (CaOSiO₂Al₂O₃Fe₂O₃MgO) was determined in the temperature interval 1350°C to 1500°C. With the addition of 0.5% CaF₂ to the reacting system the rate of reaction increased by a factor of 2.4 at a reaction temperature of 1350°C, and a factor of 1.2 at 1500°C. Addition of 1% CaF₂ raised the reaction rate 2.8 times at 1350°C and 1.7 times at 1500°C. The effect of CaF₂ on the rate of C₃S formation may be attributed to the fact that the C₃S primary field is much wider in the CSCaF₂ system than in the CSAF system.     

Temperature-stable dielectric ceramics based on Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3

Multiple ion substitutions to Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ give rise to favourable dielectric properties over the technologically important temperature range ?55?°C to 300?°C. A relative permittivity, ε_r,?=?1300?±?15% was recorded, with low loss tangent, tanδ?≤?0.025, for temperatures from 310?°C to 0?°C, tanδ increasing to 0.05 at ?55?°C (1?kHz) in the targeted solid solution (1–x)[0.85Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃–0.15Ba_0.8Ca_0.2Ti_1-yZr_yO₃]–xNaNbO₃: x?=?0.3, y?=?0.2. The ε_r-T plots for NaNbO₃ contents x?<?0.2 exhibited a frequency-dependent inflection below the temperature of a broad dielectric peak. Higher levels of niobate substitution resulted in a single peak with frequency dispersion, typical of a normal relaxor ferroelectric. Experimental trends in properties suggest that the dielectric inflection is the true relaxor dielectric peak and appears as an inflection due to overlap with an independent broad dielectric peak. Process-related cation and oxygen vacancies and their possible contributions to dielectric properties are discussed.     

Study of structure and conductivity of Li3/8Sr7/16-3x/2LaxZr1/4Nb3/4O3 solid electrolytes

Li_3/8Sr_7/16-3x/2La_xZr_1/4Nb_3/4O₃ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20) were synthesized using the conventional solid-state reaction method. In order to increase the vacancy concentration, La³⁺ was doped on the Sr²⁺ site. Crystal structures of doped samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Except, perovskite-type Li_3/8Sr_7/16-3x/2La_xZr_1/4Nb_3/4O₃ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) samples were fabricated by heat treatment at 1250 °C, 1275 °C, 1275 °C and 1275 °C, respectively, for 15 h. Lattice sizes decreased with the increase of doping amounts because of the smaller ion radius of La³⁺ compared to that of Sr²⁺. Ionic conductivities of the samples were measured by AC impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that the ionic conductivity increases at first and then decreases with raising doping amounts and sintering temperatures. So the optimized composition Li_3/8Sr_7/16-3x/2La_xZr_1/4Nb_3/4O₃ (x = 0.05) sintered at 1275 °C was selected with the highest total conductivity of 3.33 × 10^?5 S cm^?1at 30 °C and an activation energy of 0.27 eV. Additionally, potentiostatic polarization test was used to evaluate the electronic conductivity. The optimal composition Li_3/8Sr_7/16-3x/2La_xZr_1/4Nb_3/4O₃ (x = 0.05) as a possible Li-ion conducting solid electrolyte has an electronic conductivity of only 8.39 × 10^?9 S cm^?1.     

Studies in Lithium Oxide Systems: I, Li2O B2O3–B2O3

Phase relationships in the system Li₂O, B₂O₃-B₂O₃ were studied by the quenching method using twenty compositions. The crystalline phases encountered were (a) Li₂O, B₂O₃, which melts congruently at 849°± 2°C., (b) Li₂O.-2B₂O₃, which melts congruently at 917°± 2°C., (c) a new compound, 2Li₂O-5B₂O₃, which melts incongruently at 856°± 2°C. and dissociates below 696°± 4°C., (d) Li₂O.3B₂O₃, which melts incongruently at 834°± 4°C. and dissociates below 595°± 20°C., and (e) probably Li₂O.4B₂O₃, which melts incongruently at 635°± 10°C. Reactions were sluggish at temperatures near 600°C., resulting in metastable relations. Hence phase equilibrium data relating to the lower stability limit of Li₂O.3B₂O₃ and to the upper stability limit of Li₂O.4B₂O₃ are considered to be tentative. Properties of the glasses and crystalline phases were studied. The refractive index of the glasses increased with the addition of Li₂O up to 22%, but further additions up to 40% had no substantial effect. Glasses containing less than 30% Li₂O were water soluble. Limited data on the density and thermal expansion of the glasses are presented. Li₂OB₂O₃ was euhedral, lath-shaped, length-fast, biaxial negative (2V = 27°), with n_α= 1.540, n_β= 1.612, n_γ= 1.616. Li₂O.2B₂O₃ was uniaxial negative, with n_e= 1.560, n_w= 1.605. Li₂O.3B₂O₃ was biaxial negative (2V = 75° to 80°), with n_α= 1.576, n_β= 1.602, n_γ= 1.605. X-ray powder diffraction data for the five crystalline compounds are presented. Thermal expansion data for Li₂O-B₂O₃ and Li₂O.2B₂O₃ and limited data on the fluorescent properties of the compounds are given. X-ray diffraction data are also presented for Li₂O.B₂O₃.4H₂O and Li₂O.-5B₂O₃. 10H₂O. Li₂O B₂O₃ was obtained by heating the first hydrate at 450° to 680° C. X-ray diffraction showed Li₂O.4B₂O₃ and Li₂O-3B₂O₃ to be the crystalline products obtained during heating the decahydrate at 500°C. and 600°C., respectively.     

Effects of Li2O-B2O3-SiO2 glass on the low-temperature sintering of Zn0.15Nb0.3Ti0.55O2 ceramics

The influences of Li₂O-B₂O₃-SiO₂ glass (LBS) on the activation energy, phase composition, the stability of the structure and microwave dielectric properties of Zn_0.15Nb_0.3Ti_0.55O₂ ceramics have been systematically investigated. LBS glass acted as flux former and contributed to the reactive liquid-phase sintering mechanism, which remarkably lowed the sintering temperature from 1150?°C to 900?°C and enhanced the shrinkage and densification of ceramic at the low sintering temperatures. The ceramics with 1.5?wt% LBS glass sintered at 900?°C for 3?h show great properties: ε_r = 73.59, Q × f = 8024?GHz, τ_f = 270.54?ppm/°C.     

Infiltrated La0.5Ba0.5CoO3-δ in La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O2.8 scaffolds as cathode material for IT-SOFC

The electrochemical response of infiltrated La_0.5Ba_0.5CoO_3-δ (LBC) in porous La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_2.8 (LSGM) has been investigated. The thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of the resulting electrode was measured, obtaining α?=?12.5?×?10^?6 K^?1, a value similar to that of LSGM. The polarization resistance (Rp) and the processes involved in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for the new electrode were studied and analyzed through complex impedance spectroscopy measurements as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure (pO₂), using a symmetrical cell. The value of Rp for the infiltrated LBC turned out to be lower than that measured for an electrode prepared with a composite LBC-LSGM (1:1?wt%) by an order of magnitude, for the temperature range 750?°C ≤ T?≤?900?°C, and about 5 times lower for the temperature range 450?°C≤ T?≤?650?°C. At 600?°C, the LBC infiltrated cathode exhibits a polarization resistance R_p =?0.22?Ω?cm², in air. The complex impedance spectra show two processes, one identified as low frequency (LF),with a characteristic frequency of 10?Hz, and the other as intermediate frequency (IF), with a range between 0.05 and 2000?Hz. The LF process could be associated to the diffusion of oxygen in the gas phase through the pores of the electrode. Its resistance, R_LF =?0.01?Ωc?m²_, was found to be independent of the temperature and half of that obtained for the LBC composite cathode. On the other hand, the IF process is related to charge transfer at the electrode surface and the electrode-electrolyte interface. The LBC cobaltite infiltrated in the LSGM scaffolds offers an adequate thermal expansion coefficient and good electrocatalytic activity for the ORR.     

Anisotropic field induced phase transitions and negative electrocaloric effect in rhombohedral Mn doped Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 single crystals

The electrocaloric effect (ECE) of Mn doped Pb(In_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃-Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-PbTiO₃ (PIN-PMN-PT:Mn) single crystals with particular emphasis on the impact of crystallographic orientations and phase transitions were investigated systematically. Orientation-dependent phase transitions have been demonstrated by the dielectric and strain behaviors. Intriguingly, the negative ECE of –0.02?°C and –0.002?°C were obtained firstly in [001]-oriented PIN-PMN-PT:Mn crystals near the rhombohedral→tetragonal phase transformation and in [011]-oriented crystals near the rhombohedral→orthorhombic phase transformation, respectively. However, only the positive ECE was found in [111]-oriented crystals near the tetragonal→rhombohedral phase transition. Additionally, the maximum ECE temperature changes calculated in [001]-, [011]- and [111]-oriented crystals were 0.33?°C, 0.46?°C and 0.38?°C, respectively. Our results suggest that the negative ECE is attributed to electric field-induced phase transitions, whose critical field decreases with the increase of temperature. The phase transition-mediated coexistence of positive and negative effects in the relaxor-ferroelectric single crystals is beneficial to enhance the efficiency of the solid-state cooling devices.     

Thermodynamics of hydrochloric acid in 1-propanol-water mixtures from EMF measurements at different temperatures

Emf measurements of cells of the type Pt, H₂ (g, 1 atm) |HCl (m), 1-PrOH (X), H₂O (Y)| AgCl/Ag at 5–45°C and m 0·005–0·15 mol/kg have been used to derive the standard potentials of the cells by a theoretically justified polynomial curve-fitting technique, the mean activity coefficient of HCl (molal scale), the medium effect, the relative partial molal heat content and the thermodynamic function (mol-fraction scale) for the transfer of HCl from water to the respective 1-PrOH-H₂O media. E_m° is expressed as a function of temperature. The electrostatic part of the thermodynamic functions was computed according to Born's model and hence the chemical effect of the solvents on the transfer process has been evaluated. The significance of the results discussed with regard to the acid-base properties and the structural effects of the solvents with further additions of 1-PrOH.     

Experiments and transient finite element simulation of γ-Y2Si2O7/B2O3-Al2O3-SiO2 glass coating on porous Si3N4 substrate under thermal shock

A dense γ-Y₂Si₂O₇/B₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ glass coating was fabricated by slurry spraying method on porous Si₃N₄ ceramic for water resistance. Thermal shock failure was recognized as one of the key failure modes for porous Si₃N₄ radome materials. In this paper, thermal shock resistance of the coated porous Si₃N₄ ceramics were investigated through rapid quenching thermal shock experiments and transient finite element analysis. Thermal shock resistance of the coating was tested at 700 °C, 800 °C, 900 °C and 1000 °C. Results showed that the cracks initiated within the coating after thermal shock from 800 °C to room temperature, thus leading to the reduction of the water resistance. Based on the finite element simulation results, thermal shock failure tended to occur in the coating layer with increasing temperature gradient, and the critical thermal shock failure temperature was measured as 872.24 °C. The results obtained from finite element analysis agree well with that from the thermal shock tests, indicating accuracy and feasibility of this numerical simulation method. Effects of thermo-physical properties for the coating material on its thermal shock resistance were also discussed. Thermal expansion coefficient of the coating material played a more decisive role in decreasing the tangent tensile stress.     

Microwave dielectric properties of ultra-low loss Li2MgTi0.7(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.3O4 ceramics sintered at low temperature by LiF addition

In this work, ultra-low loss Li₂MgTi_0.7(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.3O₄ ceramics were successfully prepared via the conventional solid-state method. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) and bond energy were used to determine the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic dielectric loss in (Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)⁴⁺ ions substituted ceramics. The addition of (Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)⁴⁺ ions enhances the bond energy in unit cell without changing the crystal structure of Li₂MgTiO₄, which results in high Q·f value as an intrinsic factor. The extrinsic factors such as porosity and grain size influence the dielectric loss at lower sintering temperature, while the oxygen vacancies play dominant role when the ceramics densified at 1400?°C. The Li₂MgTi_0.7(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.3O₄ ceramics sintered at 1400?°C can achieve an excellent combination of microwave dielectric properties: ε_r =?16.19, Q·f?=?160,000?GHz and τ_f =??3.14?ppm/°C. In addition, a certain amount of LiF can effectively lower the sintering temperature of the matrix, and the Li₂MgTi_0.7(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.3O₄-3?wt% LiF ceramics sintered at 1100?°C possess balanced properties with ε_r?=?16.32, Q·f?=?145,384?GHz and τ_f =??16.33?ppm/°C.     

Investigation of layered perovskite NdBa0.5Sr0.25Ca0.25Co2O5+δ as cathode for solid oxide fuel cells

Layered perovskite oxides with and without Ca-doped NdBa_0.5Sr_0.25Ca_0.25Co₂O_5+δ (NBSCaCO) and NdBa_0.5Sr_0.5Co₂O_5+δ (NBSCO) are studied to investigate the effects of Ca doping on the crystal structure, thermal behavior, electrical and electrochemical properties. Both NBSCO and NBSCaCO are tetragonal structure with P4/mmm space group. The average thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) value is reduced from 23.3?×?10^?6 K^?1 to 19.8?×?10^?6 K^?1 during 30–800?°C. The electrical conductivities are increased by Ca doping. Both electrical conductivities of NBSCO and NBSCaCO are higher than 600?S·cm^?1 over 30–800?°C. Substitution of Sr with Ca can effectively improve the electrochemical properties of NBSCaCO. From 650?°C to 800?°C, the area specific resistance (ASR) of NBSCaCO are decreased from 0.62 to 0.062?Ω?cm² and the corresponding output power density are increased from 258 to 812?mW?cm^?2. On the basis of these results, Ca doped layered perovskite NBSCaCO can be a good cathode candidate material for SOFC application.     

Infrared absorption spectra of adsorbed dinitrogen on RuAl2O3K below 2000 cm−1

A new dinitrogen species is found by ir absorption at 1935 cm^?1 (Type B) when a dinitrogen species at 2020 cm^?1 (Type A) prepared from N₂ on RuAl₂O₃K is treated with H₂ above 170 °C or with NH₃ at 25 °C, or when H₂-treated catalyst is treated with N₂ at 250 °C. The Type B species is more reactive to H₂ or O₂ than the Type A species. Another ir band is found at around 1870 cm^?1 (Type C) when Type B species is evacuated at 200 °C. Both species, B and C, are likely located on the surface, while the Type A species is in an absorbed state. The Type C species is removed rapidly on introduction of H₂ or NH₃ at 25 °C, probably by displacement. The very low wavenumber, the high sensitivity to gases, and the high stability to evacuation disclose the unique character of the Type C species.     

Microstructure and elastic modulus of electrospun Al2O3-SiO2-B2O3 composite nanofibers with mullite-type structure prepared at elevated temperatures

In the present work, Al₂O₃-SiO₂-B₂O₃ composite nanofibers with mullite-type structure were prepared using electrospinning technique. The microstructure and elastic modulus of the composite nanofibers obtained at elevated temperatures were studied. The results showed that Al₄B₂O₉ phase formed at 900 °C and then transformed to Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ at 1100 °C. Mullite was also detected in the nanofibers prepared at 1100 °C. Amorphous SiO₂ existed in all samples even the calcination temperature reached up to 1400 °C. The continuous and uniform structure of the composite nanofibers was kept after calcining at different temperatures, while rougher surface was evident due to the growth of the grain caused by the elevated temperature. An increase of elastic modulus of the samples from 9.47 ± 1.91 GPa to 27.30 ± 2.61 GPa was observed when calcination temperatures increased from 800 °C to 1400 °C.     

Potential of the Pb,PbSO4/H2SO4 electrode at temperatures up to 240°C

Standard lead—lead sulphate electrode potential was determined over the temperature range 20–240°C from emf measurements of the Pb, PbSO₄H₂SO₄ (0.05M)K₂SO₄KClHCl(0.1M)/AgCl, Ag and Pb, PbSO₄H₂SO₄(m)K₂SO₄H₂SO₄(0.05M)PbSO₄, Pb cells where m = 0.005, 0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 M. To this effect lead—lead sulphate electrode potential was calculated using the temperature relationship of the standard silver—silver chloride electrode potential and activity coefficients of hydrochloric acid determined by Greeley et al. at temperatures up to 260°C. Diffusion potentials occurring at the phase boundaries in the cells under investigation were calculated using the Henderson's equation. Values of the standard lead—lead sulphate electrode potential were determined by extrapolation of the E°′ function to the zero ionic strength which was calculated using the second sulphuric acid dissociation constant determined by Lietzke et al. at temperatures up to 300°C. The standard electrode potential was described in the temperature range 20–240°C by the following relationship: E°_{Pb, PbSO4/SO^2?4}(V) = 0.040-0.00126T. A change in entropy ΔS° of the electrode reaction Pb + SO^2?₄ = PbSO₄ + 2e^? is constant in this temperature range and is ?243 JK^?1 mol^?1 (?1018 cal K^?1 mol^?1).     

Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-BaTiO3-CaZrO3:ZnO high-temperature dielectric composites with wide operational range

0.82[0.94Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃-0.06BaTiO₃]-0.18CaZrO₃:xZnO (BNT-BT-CZ:xZnO, x = 0–0.40 with interval of 0.10) high temperature dielectric composites were prepared and the structural and electrical properties were investigated. Significantly improved temperature-insensitive permittivity spectra have been observed in the composites: the temperature range for low variance in permittivity (Δε_r/ε_r,150?°C < 10%) is 70–190?°C for x?=?0, whereas it is extended at least to 30–250?°C for the optimal x?=?0.10 at 1?kHz. Especially, for this optimal composite, the variance of permittivity is less than 4.0% in the temperature range of 30–400?°C with the suitable permittivity value of ~ 600 at 10?kHz. By comparatively investigating the properties of unpoled and poled samples, the improved temperature-insensitive permittivity is rationalized by the ZnO-induced local electric field that can suppress the evolution of polar nanoregions and thus enhance the temperature-insensitivity of permittivity.     

Fabrication of dense Ce0.9Mg0.1P2O7-PmOn composites by microwave heating for application as electrolyte in intermediate-temperature fuel cells

In the present work, we report a method of fabrication of dense 10 mol% Mg²⁺-doped cerium pyrophosphate-phosphate (Ce_0.9Mg_0.1P₂O₇-P_mO_n; CMP-P) composites by microwave heat-treatment of the preformed Ce_0.9Mg_0.1P₂O₇ substrates in the presence of phosphoric acid. The composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The microwave heating at 375 °C for 5 min resulted in the formation of dense CMP-P composites which retained most of the pyrophosphate phase. The electrical conductivity was extracted from the EIS data and for the CMP-P composite prepared by H₃PO₄ loading for 10 h and microwave heat-treatment for 5 min it was found to be >10^?2 S m^?1 in 100–250 °C range with a maximum of 0.062 S cm^?1 at 190 °C, which was significant for its application as electrolyte in intermediate temperature fuel cells.