Characterisation of BaZr0.9Y0.1O3-δ Prepared by Three Different Synthesis Methods: Study of the Sinterability and the Conductivity

BaZr0.9Y0.1O3-delta has been synthesised by three different methods: the solid-state reaction, the spray pyrolysis and the spray drying Significantly different apparent lattice parameters (between 0.4192 nm for the sample prepared by the solid-state reaction method and sintered at 1,500 degrees C and 0.4206 nm for the sample prepared by the solid-state reaction method and sintered at 1,720 degrees C) are observed after calcination and sintering, depending oil the synthesis method and the sintering temperature. The bulk conductivity values also vary over several orders of magnitude (-72< log sigma(b) <-3.6 at 300 degrees C) depending oil the synthesis method and the sintering temperature These variations of the bulk conductivity and also the activation energy are correlated with variations of the apparent lattice parameter The influence Of the preparation method oil the electrical properties is discussed. The grain boundaries are more resistive than the bulk. The variation of the grain boundary conductivity could be correlated to the microstructure in terms of the grain size