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Title: Defect Interactions and Ionic Transport in Scandia Stabilized Zirconia

Journal Article · · Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. PCCP, 11(26):5506-5511
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/b902764e· OSTI ID:958445

Atomistic simulation has been used to study ionic transport in scandia-stabilized zirconia, as well as scandia and yttria-co-doped zirconia, as a function of temperature and composition. The oxygen diffusion coefficient shows a peak at a composition of 6 mole % Sc2O3. Oxygen vacancies prefer to be second nearest neighbours to yttrium ions, but have little preference between first and second neighbour positions with respect to scandium ions. The Sc-O bond length is about 2.17 Å compared to 2.28 Å for the Y-O bond. Oxygen migration between cation tetrahedra is impeded less effectively by Sc-Sc edges than by Y-Y edges. A neutral cluster of two scandium ions with an oxygen vacancy in the common first neighbour position has a binding energy of -0.56 eV. The formation of such clusters may contribute to conductivity degradation of stabilized zirconia at elevated temperature.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
958445
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-64603; 30472; KP1704020; TRN: US1000380
Journal Information:
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. PCCP, 11(26):5506-5511, Vol. 11, Issue 26; ISSN 1463-9076
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English