Transport properties of BaZr0.5Ce0.3Y0.2O3−δ proton conductor prepared by spark plasma sintering

Dense BaZr0.5Ce0.3Y0.2O3−δ (BZCY532) proton conductors were prepared by a spark plasma sintering method. Their conductivities were determined in different atmospheres: dry air, wet N2 and wet H2. Moreover, the potential electronic conductivity contribution to the total conductivity was also identified by testing their total conductivities at different oxygen partial pressures (1–10−24 atm) in combination with an XPS analysis. It is found that the prepared dense BZCY532 ceramics are good proton conductors at 600 °C. In addition, the Ce3+ concentration in the dense BZCY532 ceramics is around 3.5 atm% of the total Ce element, and the electronic contribution to the total conductivity can be neglected after a postheat treatment.