Effect of crystallinity on proton conductivity in yttrium-doped barium zirconate thin films

The effect of crystallinity on proton conductivity in amorphous, single crystal and polycrystal yttrium-doped barium zirconate (BYZ) thin films grown 120 nm in thickness on amorphous (quartz) and single crystal MgO(100) substrates has been studied. The conductivity was measured in the temperature range of 150 ~ 350 °C. By altering the film deposition temperature, varying degrees of crystallization and microstructure were observed by x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The epitaxial BYZ film grown on MgO(100) substrate at 900 °C showed the highest proton conductivity among other samples with an activation energy of 0.45 eV, whereas polycrystalline and amorphous BYZ films showed lower conductivities due to grain boundaries in their granular microstructure.

► Epitaxial and polycrystalline BYZ thin films were deposited by PLD.
► The deposited films were characterized by XRD, high resolution TEM, and SAD patterns.
► Proton conductivity of the BYZ thin films measured at various temperatures.
► Higher conductivity was observed with increased crystallinity and less grain boundary.