= Solution
The trivalent dopant is comparable in radius to Na$^+$ and is naturally accommodated on a sodium site rather than a chloride site. One charge-balanced incorporation reaction is
$$
\boxed{\mathrm{YCl_3\longrightarrow
Y_{Na}^{\bullet\bullet}+2V_{Na}'+3Cl_{Cl}^{\times}}.}
$$
Three cation sites are filled by one Y ion and two vacancies; the three chloride ions occupy the corresponding anion sites. The effective $+2$ substitutional charge is balanced by two singly negative sodium vacancies.
\b[YCl$_3$ doping primarily increases sodium-vacancy-mediated ionic conductivity], provided the vacancies remain mobile rather than strongly bound to the dopant. In contrast, sodium-rich doping introduces <electrons> and anion vacancies or interstitial-related defects. Neither mechanism requires holes as its compensating carrier, and an increase in vacancy number need not translate proportionally into conductivity if defect association reduces mobility.
Back to article page