Effect of Ba nonstoichiometry in Ba _x(Zr _0.8 y _0.2) O _3-δ on population of 5-coordinated y

The local environments of Y in the Y-substituted BaZrO₃ of the starting compositions of Ba_x(Zr_0.8Y_0.2)O_3-δ (x = 0.97, 1.0, 1.03, and 1.06) were analyzed by ⁸⁹Y magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy. The result showed a strong population dependence of 5-coordinated Y³⁺ ions mostly at the B site on the Ba contents. The enhancement of Ba contents by 9 at% (from 0.97 to 1.06 in the starting Ba contents) in a nominal composition increased the amount of 5-coordinated Y³⁺ ions from 35% ± 7% to 49% ± 5%, suggesting the importance of maximizing the Ba contents to populate more oxygen vacancies which is related to the concentration of protons incorporated during the hydration process. The wide variation in the lattice parameter of yttrium-substituted BaZrO₃ perovskite materials in previous reports was reinterpreted with the variation in the Ba contents resulting from the evaporation of BaO during the sintering processes. Y³⁺ ions were confirmed to replace mainly the Zr⁴⁺ ions, as expected, and a tendency of oxygen vacancy clustering near the Y³⁺ ions was discussed.