Protonic conduction in Zr-substituted BaCeO3

Zr-substituted BaCeO3 (BaCe0.9−xZrxY0.1O3−α) was synthesized and its electrical conduction behavior and chemical stability were investigated. Single phases were confirmed over the whole range of x values (0.0≤x≤0.9). These oxides exhibited pure protonic conduction in hydrogen-containing atmosphere while they showed protonic, oxide ionic and electronic mixed conduction under high oxygen partial pressure at elevated temperatures. The chemical stability against CO2 increased with an increase in zirconium content, although the protonic conductivity decreased with increasing x.