ePrints

Hydrothermal synthesis, structure investigation, and oxide ion conductivity of mixed Si/Ge-based apatite-type phases

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Stevin PramanaORCiD

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

Apatite-type oxides ([AI 4][AII 6][(BO4)6]O2), particularly those of the rare-earth silicate and germanate systems, are among the more promising materials being considered as alternative solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes. Nonstoichiometric lanthanum silicate and germanate apatites display pure ionic conductivities exceeding those of yttria-stabilized zirconia at moderate temperatures (500-700 °C). In this study, mixed Si/Ge-based apatites were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis under mild conditions rather than the conventional solid-state method at high temperatures. Single-phase and highly crystalline nanosized apatite powders were obtained with the morphology changing across the series from spheres for the Si-based end member to hexagonal rods for the Ge-based end member. Powder X-ray and neutron analysis found all of these apatites to be hexagonal (P63/m). Quantitative X-ray microanalysis established the partial (<15 at%) substitution of La 3+ by Na+ (introduced from the NaOH hydrothermal reagent), which showed a slight preference to enter the AI 4f framework position over the AII 6h tunnel site. Moreover, retention of hydroxide (OH-) was confirmed by IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, and these apatites are best described as oxyhydroxyapatites. To prepare dense pellets for conductivity measurements, both conventional heat treatment and spark plasma sintering methods were compared, with the peculiar features of hydrothermally synthesized apatites and the influence of sodium on the ionic conductivity considered. © 2014 American Chemical Society.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Li H, Baikie T, Pramana SS, Shin JF, Keenan PJ, Slater PR, Brink F, Hester J, An T, White TJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Inorganic Chemistry

Year: 2014

Volume: 53

Issue: 10

Pages: 4803-4812

Print publication date: 19/05/2014

Online publication date: 02/05/2014

Acceptance date: 18/09/2013

ISSN (print): 0020-1669

ISSN (electronic): 1520-510X

Publisher: American Chemical Society

URL: https://doi.org/10.1021/ic402370e

DOI: 10.1021/ic402370e

Altmetrics

Share