Conductive Ceramics
Although ceramics typically are resistive materials, Yttria Fully Stabilized Zirconia exhibit outstanding ionic conduction properties. Yttria Fully Stabilized Zirconia frequently are used as electrolyte in oxygen sensors (lambda probe) or for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) applications due to their high oxygen ion conduction at elevated temperatures (>300°C). Stabilized-zirconium dioxide-based electrolyte also exhibits high mechanical properties, gas tightness, low electronic conduction and chemical stability in both oxidant and reductive atmospheres.
Solid Oxide Cells
In SOFCs, hydrogen-rich gas electrochemically reacts with oxygen at high temperatures (700°C-900°C) to produce electricity and water. 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconias, are generally used as the electrolyte thanks to their excellent ionic conduction at high temperature.
3 mol% yttria stabilized zirconias, are widely used for SOFC electrodes due to their excellent mechanical properties.
In SOEC, the opposite reaction takes place and H2 is produced from electricity and water. In a similar manner, 8YZ and 3YZ powders are used for the preparation of electrolytes and electrodes respectively.
