Sintering and electrical properties of Ce1-xBixO2-δ solid solution

Solid solution Ce1-xBixO2-delta nanopowders with the composition of x = 0.1-0.5 were synthesized by using Self Propagating Room Temperature procedure (SPRT). The results obtained by XRPD show that synthesized samples were single-phase solid solution at room temperature. Powders were densified by using Conventional (CS) and Microwave (MS) Sintering techniques at different temperatures, in an air atmosphere for 1 h. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and complex impedance method measurements were carried out on sintered samples. Maximum achieved density was for sample with Ce0.80Bi0.20O2-delta composition for both applied sintering techniques. The highest conductivity was obtained for the ceramic composition Ce0.80Bi0.20O2-delta sintered by microwave technique at 700 degrees C. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.