Proton conduction and characterization of an La(PO3)3–Ca(PO3)2 glass–ceramic

A dual phase glass–ceramic composite is produced by heating a CaLa(PO3)5 glass at 800 °C for 20 h. The glass–ceramic consists of intertwined crystalline La(PO3)3 and amorphous Ca(PO3)2 with an overall conductivity of 1.52 × 10− 5 S/cm− 1 at 550 °C in humidified air. For the water vapor treated glass, the vibration modes of the incorporated water, as well as of P–OH groups, are detected by infrared spectroscopy in the range 3440–1660 cm− 1. The conductivity of the glass–ceramic is higher in humidified air than in dry air, consistent with proton conduction.