Deuterium conductivity, diffusion and implantation in Sr-doped LaYO3

A study of deuterium conductivity and diffusion in the oxide perovskite La0 .9Sr0.1YO3-delta is presented in this work. Deuterium ions were implanted i nto La0.9Sr0.1YO3-delta (50 keV, 1 x 10(16) atoms/cm(2)) and the correspond ing deuterium depth profile was determined by SIMS and compared with a Mont e Carlo simulation (TRIM96). This implant was used as a standard for the de termination of deuterium concentration in a La0.9Sr0.1YO3-delta sample pre- treated in D2O atmosphere. In this way, it was fully confirmed that La0.9Sr 0.1YO3-delta incorporates water at high temperatures. The conductivity of L a0.9Sr0.1YO3-delta was measured in D2O atmosphere and compared with other p roton (deuteron) conductors. Concentration and conductivity data were used in conjunction to estimate the deuterium diffusivity and the constant of re action of (heavy) water incorporation into LaYO3. Some comments on the cata lytic activity of this oxide are made. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science BN. All ri ghts reserved.