Oxide-ion conductivity in Cu(x)Ce(1-x)O(2-delta) (0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.10)

Abstract

Up to 10 at. percent of copper readily substitutes for cerium in ceria. It is found that at oxygen partial pressures between 0.21 atm and 10(-5) atm, Cu(x)Ce(1-x)O(2-delta) (0 less than = x less than = 0.10) solid solution behave as an oxide-ion electrolyte. Interestingly, Cu(0.10)Ce(0.90)O(2-delta) exhibits the oxide-ion conductivity of ca.10(-4) Omega(-1) cm(-1) at 600 degrees C at an oxygen partial pressure of 10-5 atm.