Diffusion of Nd and Mo in lanthanum tungsten oxide

• Tracer diffusion coefficients of Nd and Mo in LWO were determined by ToF-SIMS.
• Similar bulk diffusivities for both cations were observed, indicating similar diffusion mechanism.
• Enhanced grain boundary diffusion only observed for Nd migration
• Cation defect concentrations “frozen in” below 1200 °C
• Kinetic demixing is not likely to limit the lifetime of LWO membranes.

Cation diffusion in functional oxides exposed to electrochemical gradients may lead to kinetic demixing or decomposition and, consequently, determine the life-time of the functional component. Here we present chemical diffusion coefficients of Nd and Mo in the mixed proton–electron conductor lanthanum tungsten oxide, La28 − xW4 + xO54 + 3x/2 (LWO), measured at 1000 to 1200 °C in both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The bulk diffusivities of Nd and Mo were similar at all temperatures investigated and did not change significantly from oxidizing to reducing conditions. On these bases it is suggested that bulk diffusion of both Nd and Mo occurs via the La2 site on which both cations reside. Based on the low activation energy for bulk transport (~ 200 kJ∙mol− 1) at temperatures below 1200 °C it is proposed that the cation defect concentrations are, in effect, frozen in. Preferential diffusion of Nd along the grain boundaries was rationalized based on space charge effects and depletion of W6 + and Mo6 + near the positively charged grain boundary core. Potential implications of kinetic demixing or decomposition of LWO membranes are also evaluated based on the present results.