In this work, the electrical properties of Fe-doped Pr2Zr2O7 pyrochlore were studied, highlighted by means of Impedance Spectroscopy in combination with other characterization techniques. The materials prepared by the coprecipitation method are p-type electronic conductors, being the electrical response directly dependent of the Pr and Fe oxidation states. This response is influenced by two effects: the first is the improvement of the total conductivity of the material with the increase of defects in the structure when the iron concentration increases; and the second is a delay in the reduction temperature of praseodymium in iron-doped samples by approximately 50 °C, due to oxygen retention in these samples.
Moreover, due to the characteristics of the materials prepared, it could be a promising material as a catalyst for different reactions. In this sense, the catalytic activity for CO oxidation was evaluated. The materials presented good catalytic activity, comparable to well-established CeO2. The increase in iron concentration increased the catalytic activity.
Therefore, the results presented in this study allow tailoring the electrical properties of the pyrochlore depending on the oxidation states of the ions present and provide information for future applications of these materials. In particular, the catalytic activity was evaluated showing that it is a promising material as a catalyst for the CO oxidation reaction.