Papers by Author: A.C.M. Rodrigues

Abstract: Oxygen ion conductors of zirconia based ceramics are a class of materials with technological applications in several application areas: sensors of chemical species, oxygen pumps, solid oxide fuel cells among others [1]. For these applications, the zirconia must possess the fluorite type crystal structure, or close to it. Such oxides with this structure are the classic oxygen ion conductors [2]. The fluorite structure consists of a cubic lattice of oxygen ions surrounded by cations. The cations are arranged in a face centered cubic structure with anions occupying tetrahedral positions. This leads to an open structure with large empty octahedral interstices.

Abstract: Applications of stabilized zirconia include uses related to its low thermal conductivity, strength and electrical properties. Rare earth oxides (REO) were used as additives to stabilize appropriate crystalline phases at zirconia compacts. In this work zirconia based solid electrolytes were sintered with 10, 15 and 20 wt % of REO as sintering aids. Samples were prepared by uniaxial cold press and sintered at 1400 °C, followed by electric properties determination via impedance spectroscopy. Complimentary characterization was made by X-Ray diffractometry and quantitative phase analysis by Rietveld refinement. The ionic conductivity is affected by the amount of REO additive and this effect is correlated to the existing tetragonal and cubic phases for each composition