Ionic conductivity of low yttria-doped cubic zirconium oxide nitride single crystals

Low yttria-doped cubic zirconium oxide nitride single crystals with high nitrogen contents show unexpected high oxygen ion conductivity in a temperature range between 100 °C and 300 °C. The observed values are about two orders of magnitude higher than the conductivities for conventionally used 9.5 YSZ. This can be related to an optimal anion vacancy concentration within the oxide nitride material and the low activation energy of the vacancy-based conductivity process.