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Title: Hydrogen content in doped and undoped BaPrO{sub 3} and BaCeO{sub 3} by cold neutron prompt-gamma activation analysis

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1922590· OSTI ID:20711735
; ; ;  [1]
  1. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8562 (United States)

Proton uptake in undoped and Y-doped BaPrO{sub 3} has been measured by cold neutron prompt-gamma activation analysis, and compared to the proton uptake in Gd-doped BaCeO{sub 3}, as determined by the same technique. The conventional proton incorporation model of perovskites in which oxygen ion vacancies, generated by the introduction of the trivalent dopant onto the tetravalent perovskite site, are filled with hydroxyl groups upon exposure of the sample to H{sub 2}O containing atmospheres, predicts that the proton concentration in such materials should be no greater than the dopant concentration. In contradiction to this model, the proton concentration in BaPr{sub 1-x}Y{sub x}O{sub 3} after humidification is as much as three times greater than the dopant concentration, and even undoped samples contain a high concentration of protons. Moreover, x-ray photoemission spectra suggest that the Pr oxidation state is lowered upon hydration. In contrast, BaCe{sub 0.9}Y{sub 0.1}O{sub 3} shows a typical hydrogen concentration, of close to 90% of the yttrium concentration. The results are interpreted in terms of the variable valence of Pr, which can become reduced from the 4{sup +} to the 3{sup +} oxidation state upon exposure to water, and effectively behaves as a self-dopant within the structure.

OSTI ID:
20711735
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 97, Issue 11; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.1922590; (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English