Influence of Y-substitution on phase composition and proton uptake of self-generated Ba(Ce,Fe)O3−δ–Ba(Fe,Ce)O3−δ composites

Abstract

Self-generated composites from the series BaCe_1−(x+z)Fe_xY_zO_3−δ with z = 0.2 for 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.6 and z = 0 for Ce : Fe = 1 were obtained by one-pot synthesis. The composites consist of proton and electron conducting phases and are interesting as electrode materials for protonic ceramic fuel and electrolyser cells. X-ray diffraction with quantitative phase analysis and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed that the materials consist of Fe-rich phases and a Ce-rich perovskite phase, which are present in the corresponding proportion depending on the precursor composition (Ce–Fe ratio). Substitution with Y leads to a narrowing of the miscibility gap compared to BaCe_1−xFe_xO_3−δ composites, thus favouring transformation of the composites into single cubic phases at temperatures above 1000 °C. Further, Y influences the mutual solubility of Fe^3+/4+ and Ce⁴⁺ in the Ce-rich and Fe-rich phase, respectively, as shown elemental mapping via scanning transmission electron microscopy. As only a small proportion of the Y dissolves in the electrolyte-type phase, the increased proton uptake resulting from the incorporation of Y in the Ce-rich phase is limited. Strategies to overcome this limitation by substitution with ions with similar ionic radii, but different basicity, are discussed.