Investigation of proton conductivity in Sm1.92Ca0.08Ti2O7 − δ and Sm2Ti1.92Y0.08O7 − δ pyrochlores

The results of the synthesis and characterisation of pyrochlore systems Sm1.92Ca0.08Ti2O7 − δ and Sm2Ti1.92Y0.08O7 − δ are reported. The electrical conductivity of the materials was studied using impedance spectroscopy under wet and dry oxygen and argon. Enhancements of the bulk conductivity at temperatures up to 500 °C were observed for wet conditions indicative of significant proton conductivity. The presence of dissolved protons in the materials is supported by thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Proton conduction was confirmed by measurements in O2/D2O and Ar/D2O. The results reveal the importance of the correct choice of dopant site for the pyrochlore structure, with A-site substitution yielding the highest levels of proton, as well as oxide ion, conduction. For both samples bulk, rather than grain boundary, conduction is found to be dominant.