Effect of Dopants on the Lithium Metazirconate Conductivity

Samples from the Li2 – 2xMxZrO3 (M = Ca, Zn), Li2 –xZr1 –xNbxO3, and Li2 +xZr1– xYxO3 systems were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction. Estimated domains of Li2ZrO3-based solid solutions were established for all above-mentioned systems. The transport properties of the samples (temperature and composition dependences of their conductivity, and the conductivity activation energy) were studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range from 300 to 600°С. The most probable lithium-ion migration mechanisms depending on the Li2ZrO3 crystal structure were discussed. According to the obtained results, the synthesized materials are typical solid electrolytes with extrinsic disorder and quite low ionic conductivity (σ ∼ 10–2 –10–5 S cm–1).