Catalytic Dynamics and Oxygen Diffusion in Doped PrBaCo2O5.5+δ Thin Films

Abstract

The Sr and Fe codoped double perovskites PrBaCo2O5.5+delta (PrBCO) thin films of Pr(Ba0.5Sr0.5)(Co1.5Fe0.5)O5.5+delta (PBSCFO) were epitaxially grown for chemical catalytic studies. The resistance behavior of PBSCFO epitaxial films was monitored under the switching flow of reducing and oxidizing gases as a function of the gas flow time, t, using an electrical conductivity relaxation (ECR) experimental setup. The R(t) vs t relationships determined at various temperatures show the occurrence of two oxidation processes, Co2+/Co3+ <-> Co3+ and Co3+ <-> Co3+/Co4+. Mathematical fitting of the observed R(t) vs t relationships was carried out using Fick&apos;s second law for one-dimensional diffusion of charge carriers to derive the diffusivity D(T) and tau(T) for the two processes at various temperatures, T. The D(T) vs T relationships were analyzed in terms of the Arrhenius relationship to find the activation energies E-a for each process. Oscillations in the dR(t)/dt plots, observed under oxidation reactions, were discussed in terms of a layer-by-layer oxygen vacancy exchange diffusion mechanism. Our work suggests that thin films of LnBCO (Ln = lanthanide) with their A and B sites doped as in PBSCFO are excellent candidates for the development of low or intermediate temperature energy conversion devices and gas sensor applications.