Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline La2Mo2O9 oxide-ion conductor by a novel polyaspartate precursor method

A nanocrystalline La2Mo2O9 oxide-ion conductor was synthesized by a novel poylaspartate precursor method at very low temperature of 430 °C. The obtained product was characterized by XRD, TEM, dilatometer, SEM and AC impedance spectroscopy. Due to nanocrystalline nature, La2Mo2O9 could be sintered to a density more than 97% of theoretical density even at relatively low temperature of 800 °C. The sintered La2Mo2O9 sample exhibited a conductivity of 0.16 S/cm in air at 750 °C. In addition, the ionic transport number of La2Mo2O9 was determined by modified electromotive force method in the temperature range of 600–800 °C and it remains higher than 99% (to > 0.99) in air.