Sintering and electrical conductivity of the GdSmZr2O7 ceramic with and without ZnO sintering aid

The effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) additive on the crystal structure, densification, and electrical conductivity of the GdSmZr2O7 ceramic have been examined. The GdSmZr2O7 ceramic with and without the addition of 1 wt.% ZnO sintered at temperatures between 1773 and 1973 K exhibits a single cubic pyrochlore-type phase. ZnO is very effective as a sintering aid for the GdSmZr2O7 ceramic, and it reduces the sintering temperature by about 200 K with a positive effect on the total conductivity. The total conductivity of the ZnO-modified GdSmZr2O7, as measured by A.C. impedance spectroscopy under an air atmosphere, is higher than that of the unmodified GdSmZr2O7 at identical temperature levels. At 1173 K, the highest total conductivity of the ZnO-modified GdSmZr2O7 is about fifteen percent higher than that of the unmodified GdSmZr2O7. The 1 wt.% ZnO-modified GdSmZr2O7 is one of good oxide-ion conductors in the oxygen partial pressure range of 1.0 × 10−4 to 1.0 atm at different test temperatures.