This research is concerned with the investigation of a new class of oxygen ion conductors having intrinsic oxygen ion vacancies. The materials consist of structures based on the Aurivillius phases that have their perovskitic region substituted with brownmillerite- like structures containing intrinsic oxygen vacancies. The materials will be characterized by complex impedance spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and differential thermal analysis. The proposed work will bead to the preparation of a new class of oxygen ion conductors, and will result in a better understanding of factors affecting the activation energy and the magnitude of the oxygen ion conductivity. These materials can become components of fuel cells or be utilized in air separation technologies.
