Effects of Prᶟ substitution on oxygen sensing properties of Eu(Ba₁-ₓPrₓ)₂Cu₃0₇₋δ (x = 0.00 - 0.15) ceramic rods using hot spot phenomenon / Nurul Fatehah Yusof

In this study, the effects of Pr3"1" substitution on oxygen sensing properties of Eu(Bai^Prx)2Cu307.5 (x - 0.00 - 0.15) ceramic rods using hot spot phenomenon were reported. The Eu(Bai. xPr^CusO;^ (x - 0.00 - 0.15) samples were fabricated using solid state method. The powdered mixtures were grind, calcined and pressed into pellet before being sintered. The pellets were then cut into rods measuring 13 mm x 1 mm x 1 mm. Substitution of Pr3+ increases average grain size of samples. No structural changes were observed due to the Pr3+ substitution. For substituted ceramic rods, the voltage at which hot spot appeared is lowered. The output current for all samples decreases abruptly after the appearance of hot spot. The sensitiveness to the oxygen partial pressure between 20% and 100% also increase with the substitution of Pr3+. The sensitivity increases significantly at higher p02 concentration (>80%). The stability and repeatability of the samples also improved with Pr3+ substitution. From the result, it was found that the substitution of Pr3+ at Ba site increases the sensitivity to the oxygen partial pressure.