Structure and transport properties of the spark plasma sintered barium cerate based proton conductor

BaCe0.7Y0.2In0.1O3-δ (BCYI) compositions were prepared by a modified Pechini method, following this the ceramic samples were consolidated using conventional sintering (CS) and spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1250-1500 °C for 3-10 min. The structural and microstructural characteristics of the samples were determined using XRD, SEM and TEM. The total, bulk and grain boundary ionic conductivities were evaluated using the AC impedance method in dry air, wet air and dry Ar. It was shown that application of SPS in case of nanocrystalline BCYI allows to reduce the sintering time, and in case of microcrystalline BCYI application of SPS after CS allows to improve hardness and total conductivity through reduction of grain boundary resistance.