An exceptionally high Al 3+ ion conducting polycrystalline solid based on the NASICON type structure was successfully realized within the system (Al x Zr 1−x ) 4/(4−x) Nb (PO 4 ) 3 . The partial substitution of the smaller higher valent Nb 5+ ion for Zr 4+ helped stabilize and accommodate the mobile Al 3+ ion into the NASICON like structure. The addition of boron oxide to the Al 3+ ion conducting solid electrolyte, as a sintering additive, aided in the achievement of satisfactory mechanical strength and density for practical use. Environmental gas sensors were fabricated by combining the (Al x Zr 1−x ) 4/(4−x) Nb(PO 4 ) 3 solid electrolyte with yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and appropriate auxiliary electrodes. The Nernst-like electrochemical sensors demonstrated rapid and reproducible response to CO 2 and NOx, thereby promising excellent potential for environmental monitoring applications.1 Novel trivalent ion conducting solids
IntroductionSolid electrolytes are representative of functional materials with important industrial applications including batteries, fuel cells and sensors. A key outstanding characteristic of these materials is that only a single ionic species can rapidly migrate in these solids [1,2]. However, until recently, highly conducting ions have been largely limited to mono or divalent ionic species. Trivalent rare earth (RE) ions, ion exchanged with Na + in some systems, are reported to exhibit reasonably high levels of conductivity. However, a significant Na + ion residue remains, contributing to mixed RE 3+ and Na + conduction [3]. As a consequence, purely highly trivalent ion conducting solids have not been realized until recently.In 1995, a solid exhibiting highly conducting Sc 3+ ions was demonstrated for Sc 2 (WO 4 ) 3 single crystals [4]. This was followed by the identification, by our group, of solids which conduct predominantly by Al 3+ [5], In 3+ [6], and other rare earth ion species [7][8][9][10][11]. The tungstate series (M 2 (WO 4 ) 3 ), has a quasi-two dimensional layered structure, suitable for ion migration in the crystal structure. In addition, hexa-valent tungsten ions strongly bond to oxide ions, as a result, the M 3+ ions are able to migrate readily in the layered structure. Among trivalent cations, probably the most important industrially is the common metal ion Al 3+ given its importance in the manufacture of light weight structural elements, beverage containers, oxidation resistant structures, etc. The first trivalent Al 3+ ion conductor reported by us was in the above introduced Al 2 (WO 4 ) 3 system, with an electrical conductivity of 3.2 × 10 −6 S·cm −1 at 600°C [5]. This remains considerably below > 10 −4 S·cm −1 , a value more in line with values exhibited by commercialized solid electrolytes such as yttria stabilized (YSZ) and calcia stabilized zirconia (CSZ) [12].For the purpose of realizing a practical Al 3+ ion conducting solid electrolyte, NASICON (denotes Na + Super Ion CONductor) [13], composed of a three dimensional network structure that is more suitable...