Abstract

Cobalt pyrovanadate was successfully synthesised by a solid state route and the conductivity in both oxidising and reducing environments was determined for the first time. Impedance measurements between 300 °C and 700 °C in air determined that Co₂V₂O₇ is an intrinsic semiconductor with activation energy of 1.16(3) eV. The conductivity in air reached a maximum of 4 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 700 °C. Semiconducting behaviour was also observed in 5% H₂/Ar, albeit with a much smaller activation energy of 0.04(4) eV. Between 300 °C and 700 °C the conductivity ranged from 2.45 S cm⁻¹ to 2.68 S cm⁻¹, which is approaching the magnitude required for SOFC anode materials. Thermogravimetric analysis found a significant weight loss upon reduction of the compound. X-ray diffraction analysis, coupled with data from previous research, suggested compound degradation into Co_2−xV_1+xO₄, CoO and VO. The redox instability and the low conductivity lead us to the conclusion that cobalt pyrovanadate is unsuitable for utilisation as an anode material for SOFCs although the conductivity is reasonable in a reducing atmosphere.

Graphical abstract

During our search for anode materials for application in intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells, we investigated the conductivity and redox stability of cobalt pyrovanadate.