Proton and Oxide Ion Conductivity in Palmierite Oxides

Solid proton and oxide ion conductors have key applications in several hydrogen-based and energy-related technologies. Here, we report on the discovery of significant proton and oxide ion conductivity in palmierite oxides A(3)V(2)O(8) (A = Sr, Ba), which crystallize with a framework of isolated tetrahedral VO4 units. We show that these systems present prevalent ionic conduction, with a large protonic component under humidified air (tH & SIM; 0.6-0.8) and high protonic mobility. In particular, the proton conductivity of Sr3V2O8 is 1.0 x 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 600 ?, competitive with the best proton conductors constituted by isolated tetrahedral units. Simulations show that the three-dimensional ionic transport is vacancy-driven and facilitated by rotational motion of the VO4 units, which can stabilize oxygen defects via formation of V2O7 dimers. Our findings demonstrate that palmierite oxides are a new promising class of ionic conductors where stabilization of parallel vacancy and interstitial defects can enable high ionic conductivity.