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SrZr0.9Y0.1O3−δ thin films by in-situ synthesis of triple alkoxide for protonic ceramic electrolyser membranes

  • Original Paper: Sol-gel and hybrid materials for energy, environment and building applications
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Abstract

Synthesis of the proton-conducting electrolyte SrZr0.9Y0.1O3−δ(SZY) was undertaken by the sol–gel method employing an all-alkoxide route from reaction of strontium alkoxide produced in-situ and commercial zirconium and yttrium alkoxides. The solution was homogenized by a previous ligand exchange in 2-methoxyethanol to control the polycondensation rate and achieve SZY at the low final firing temperature of 700–800 °C. SZY thin films (~270 nm) were assisted by dip-coating on different substrates and characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, grazing X-ray diffraction and confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy, revealing well-crystallized SZY phase with orthorhombic symmetry (space group, Pnma). Impedance spectroscopy of a thin film deposited on a quartz substrate revealed that protons contribute to transport in wet conditions as confirmed by a lower conductivity in D2O-humidified air (1.02 eV) compared to H2O-wetted air (0.99 eV), with the difference in activation energy consistent with a conductive isotope effect.

Proton-conducting electrolyte SrZr0.9Y0.1O3−δ was synthesized by an all-alkoxide sol–gel method via initial in situ formation of strontium alkoxide. SZY thin-film was well crystallized with orthorhombic symmetry at only 700 °C, presenting conductivity similar to ceramic material assisted by Zn-sintering additive and sintered at high temperature.

Highlights

  • Proton-conducting electrolytes SrZr0.9Y0.1O3−δ thin-films were successfully obtained.

  • Novel all-alkoxide sol–gel route via in-situ synthesis of triple alkoxide was performed.

  • Ligand exchange in 2-methoxyethanol allows soft thermal treatment SZY thin-film was well crystallized at low temperature and time (700 °C, 1 h).

  • Protonic electrical contribution is present in wet conditions.

  • SZY thin-films synthesized at 700 °C present similar conductivity than a pellet at 1300 °C.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades of Spain for financial support (project ENE2015-66183-R, MAT2017-90695-3295-REDT, RTI2018-095088-B-I00 and student grant FPI BES-2016-077023). We also thank D. Ruiz and Dr. A. del Campo for their assistance with the experimental techniques.

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  1. Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio (CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain

    Ángel Triviño-Peláez, Glenn C. Mather, Domingo Pérez-Coll, Mario Aparicio & Jadra Mosa

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  1. Ángel Triviño-Peláez
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  2. Glenn C. Mather
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  3. Domingo Pérez-Coll
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Triviño-Peláez, Á., Mather, G.C., Pérez-Coll, D. et al. SrZr0.9Y0.1O3−δ thin films by in-situ synthesis of triple alkoxide for protonic ceramic electrolyser membranes. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 95, 661–669 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-020-05338-4

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