Defect chemistry of a BaZrO3 Σ3 (111) grain boundary by first principles calculations and space-charge theory.

Defect calculations from density functional theory are implemented with space-charge theory models to describe the equilibrium defect chemistry of a Σ3 (111) symmetric tilt boundary in BaZrO(3). As such, the space-charge potential and the concentrations of , , , NH and in the bulk, core and space-charge regions of the interface are calculated as a function of temperature and atmospheric conditions. Our results show that the core will be predominated by under hydrating conditions and that the space-charge potential increases with water vapor pressure. Under nitriding conditions, , NH and will predominate the core in different temperature regimes and effects of these defects on the space-charge properties are discussed.