Synthesis of the Perovskite-Type BaCe0.8Pr0.05Cu0.15O3-δ via EDTA-Citrate

BaCeO3-based ceramics are ionic and electronic conductors that can be applied to oxygen sensors, solid oxide fuel cells and oxygen permeable membranes. However, the low chemical stability at high temperatures of these materials motivates studies involving doping of A and/or B sites of the perovskite structure. In this context, the present work aimed to synthesize a new BaCe0.8Pr0.05Cu0.15O3-δ material using the chemical route of complexation which combines EDTA-Citrate with pH variation. The powders obtained at pH 3 or 11 and calcined up to 900 ºC are thermally unstable. The cubic perovskite BaCe0.8Pr0.05Cu0.15O3-δ with crystallite size between 99.4 nm and 131.6 nm was obtained along with barium carbonate traces. In the powders calcined at 1000 ºC the pH increase decreases the amount of barium carbonate (17.3% to pH 3, 3.4% to pH 7 and 1.8% to pH 11), but increases the size of grains with irregular shapes.