Bismuth based oxide electrolytes -: Structure and ionic conductivity

Bismuth oxide systems exhibit high oxide ion conductivity and have been proposed as good electrolyte materials for applications such as solid oxide fuel cells and oxygen sensors. However, due to their instability under conditions of low oxygen partial pressures there has been difficulty in developing these materials as alternative electrolyte materials compared to the state-of-the-art cubic stabilised zirconia electrolyte. Bismuth oxide and doped bismuth oxide systems exhibit a complex array of structures and properties depending upon the dopant concentration, temperature and atmosphere. In this paper we comprehensively review the structures, thermal expansion, phase transitions, electrical conductivity and stability of bismuth oxide and doped bismuth oxide systems. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.