Title: Ionic conductivity studies on neodymium doped ceria in different atmospheres

Authors: Vinila V. Bedekar, Saheli Patra, Atanu Dutta, R.N. Basu, A.K. Tyagi

Addresses: Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India. ' Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata 700 032, India. ' Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata 700 032, India. ' Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata 700 032, India. ' Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India

Abstract: Nano-crystalline 10 and 20 mol% neodymium (Nd) doped ceria powders were prepared by gel-combustion synthesis. The single-phase nature of the nano powder has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction. These sinter-active nano powders resulted in dense products, as the sintered densities were found to be ∼90% of theoretical densities. Ionic conductivity studies were carried out in air, hydrogen and oxygen atmospheres. The samples showed ionic conductivity of 1.3 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at 650°C, and the activation energy values obtained in this system were in the range of 0.7-1.0 eV. These studies also revealed that no electronic conduction was observed, as the ionic conductivity values were almost similar in different environments.

Keywords: powders-chemical preparation; sintering; ionic conductivity; grain boundaries; nanocrystalline; neodymium; ceria powders; gel combustion synthesis; nanotechnology; nanopowders; CeO2.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2010.034721

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2010 Vol.7 No.9/10/11/12, pp.1178 - 1187

Published online: 17 Aug 2010 *

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