Investigation of defect equilibria in YBa2Cu3Ox by a solid state electrochemical method

The partial pressure of oxygen, P(O2), in equilibrium with YBa2Cu3Ox was determined as a function of oxygen composition, x, and temperature, T in the range 6.35>x>5.97 and 1120>T>825 K. A solid state electrochemical method was used allowing for accurate control of composition by Coulometric titration and determination of P(O2) by open circuit EMF measurements. Decomposition of YBa2Cu3Ox was found to occur at x values as high as 6.1. Evidence for additional possible phase transitions for x>6.1 are discussed. Three relevant defect models are considered in detail and fitted to these and other data. The outcome of this analysis is a model that is consistent with all the available data and assumes that the dominant defects are neutral oxygen interstitials, Oi* and that the concentration of charged defects is small compared to [Oi*]. The hole concentration, p, follows a P(O2)1/2 dependence over a significant range of x. The relative change in the position of the Fermi energy upon reduction from x=6.35 to x=6.1 is 0.2 eV. The partial molar enthalpy of oxygen in YBa2Cu3O6.1 with respect to pure oxygen is 179 kJ/mol. It is suggested that the chemical and tracer diffusion coefficient are independent of the diffusivity determined from conductivity. Information concerning the thermodynamic factor and the enthalpy of oxidation is presented. (orig.)