LAUSR

Abstract In this article we report the one step mechano-synthesis of In2O3 alloyed CeO2 solid solutions for different concentrations of In2O3 (5–10 mol%) for the first time. We have investigated the structure, microstructure, phase stability and ion transport properties of the system. All structural and microstructural parameters are estimated by analyzing the XRD patterns of the powdered compounds employing Rietveld refinement method as well as from the HRTEM images which also confirms the complete formation of the solid solution. Presence of In atoms in the ceria lattice as well as absence of any other element is also confirmed by the study of energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis. All alloyed CeO2 compounds are found to stable upto 850 °C Electrical (ionic) conductivity is found to increase within 5–6.5 mol% of alloying concentration, then remain almost invariant at maximum conductivity value in the range 6.5–8.5 mol% and finally decrease almost with the same rate to the initial value with increasing alloying concentration up to 10 mol%. Charge transport properties are investigated in detail studying different spectra. Ion hopping which follows the correlated barrier hopping mechanism is confirmed from the conductivity studies. Temperature independent mechanism of the conduction is also confirmed by the study of scaling behavior of the impedance spectra and ac conductivity.