Electrical Conductivity of Proton Conductive Ceramics under Reactor Irradiation

Abstract

Electrical charges may be transported in ceramics by not only electrons but also by electron-holes, ions, and protons. Especially in nuclear fusion environments, electrical conductivity by proton migration (protonic conduction) will play an important role, as supply of hydrogen isotopes is sufficient and working temperature for ceramics will be in general high. In the present paper, radiation effects on the electrical conductivity of perovskite-type oxides will be reviewed, emphasizing radiation effects on transport behaviors of hydrogen and on reducing behaviors of oxide ceramics. Some perovskite-type oxides are known to have large protonic conductivity and an electrical charge state of some atomic elements composing them can be studied easily by spectroscopic techniques.