Silver Exsolution-Enhanced Electrical Properties of Lanthanum-Based Perovskites

The effect of silver(Ag)exsolution on the electrical conductivity of strontium-doped lanthanum manganite(La1-x-ySrxAgyMnO3-δ,LSAM)and ferrite(La1-x-ySrxAgyFeO3-δ,LSAF)perovskites was investigated.The single-phase Ag-doped materials formed at 800℃ using modified Pechini method and revealed thermal stability in oxidizing atmosphere up to sintering temperature of the materials at 1,200℃.The exsolution of the metallic Ag nanoparticles was performed at 420-500℃ in reducing atmosphere of 5%H2/N2.Scanning electron microcopy results exhibited the metallic Ag phase nanoparticles on the surface of the oxide backbone with a good contact of Ag to the surface of the perovskite after exsolution.The electrical conductivity of the materials was investigated in the temperature range of 50-900℃ in air and isothermally in 5%H2/N2 at 420 and 500℃ by means of four probe DC measurement method,and reached 80-230 S·cm^-1 for undoped and Ag-doped LSF and LSM.The electrical conductivity results showed improving conductivity in Ag-doped single-phase and Ag nanoparticle decorated perovskites after Ag exsolution.The results revealed the dependence of electrical conductivity on the atmosphere,temperature and Ag exsolution time.