Electrical properties of the GdSmZr ₂O ₇ ceramic under different sintering conditions

The GdSmZr ₂O ₇ ceramic is prepared by pressureless-sintered method under different conditions as a possible solid electrolyte. The crystal structure, microstructure and electrical properties are characterized by the X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and ac impedance spectroscopy, respectively. The GdSmZr ₂O ₇ ceramic exhibits a single phase of the pyrochlore-type structure. The total conductivity of the GdSmZr ₂O ₇ ceramic obeys the Arrhenius relation, and gradually increases with increasing temperature from 723 to 1173 K. The GdSmZr ₂O ₇ ceramic is an oxide-ion conductor in the oxygen partial pressure range of 1.0 × 10 ^-4 to 1.0 atm at all test temperature levels. According to the experimental results of the present work, the maximum value of the total conductivity for the GdSmZr ₂O ₇ ceramic is about 1.01 × 10 ^-2 S cm ^-1 at 1173 K.