Synthesis and Characterization of BaZrO3:BaCeO3 Core-Shell Structured Ceramics
Among many ways we tried to synthesize BaZrO3:BaCeO3 core-shell structured ceramics in order to enhance the low grain boundary conductivities of monolithic BaZrO3, the best results were obtained when the BaZrO3 particles prepared by the conventional solid oxide reaction were coated by the BaCeO3 sol. After sintering the powders at 1650oC for 2 hours, we confirmed that the Ce contents were dominated at the grain boundaries by transmission electron microscopy. The proton conductivities of thus-obtained BaZrO3:BaCeO3 core-shell structured ceramics were significantly higher than those of the BaZrO3-BaCeO3 solid solution having the same compositions. Detailed procedures for the syntheses are to be presented and the enhancement of the proton conductivities with the core-shell structure formation will be discussed from the viewpoint of defect chemistry and microstructure evolution.