Proton conduction in La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3−α ceramic prepared via microemulsion method and its application in ammonia synthesis at atmospheric pressure

The popular electrolyte of La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3−α was prepared via microemulsion method by using (NH4)2CO3–NH4OH as the co-precipitation reagent, followed by calcination and sinteration in air. The sintered ceramic was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. The conduction behaviors in La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3−α were investigated by using the electrochemical methods including gas concentration cells and electrochemical hydrogen permeation. The results indicate that the charge carriers in La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3−α are protons under hydrogen atmosphere. Ammonia was synthesized at atmospheric pressure successfully by using La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3−α as solid electrolyte for the first time.