Investigation of the crystal structure and ionic conductivity in the ternary system (Yb2O3) –(Sc2O3)(0.11−)–(ZrO2)0.89 (x= 0–0.11)

Abstract The ternary system (Yb 2 O 3 ) x –(Sc 2 O 3 ) (0.11− x ) –(ZrO 2 ) 0.89 ( x = 0–0.11) specimens have been prepared using a co-precipitation method. The properties of this series of samples are affected by the ytterbium element. A stabilized cubic phase is obtained at room temperature by introducing ytterbium and the unit cell parameters show a linear increasing relationship with content of Yb 2 O 3 , which also contributes to abatement of the conductivity from 0.099 S/cm to 0.020 S/cm at 800 °C. However, the conductivity tends to remain a constant at lower temperatures ranging from 500 °C to 650 °C as the addition of Yb 2 O 3 is reduced to below 3 mol%, achieving high up to 0.015 S/cm at 650 °C for a 3Yb8ScSZ body, indicating a potential to be utilized as an electrolyte material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells.