Samples of 8mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia, ceria- and scandia-doped yttria-stabilized zirconia powders were synthesized by using the reverse micro-emulsion method. The powders were calcined at 1000C and sintered at 1450C. The crystalline properties and microstructure of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and SEM methods, respectively. Oxygen ionic conductivities of the samples were measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range 250–375C. Grain interior and grain boundary resistivities were also calculated. Particle sizes of yttria-stabilized zirconia and Sc-doped yttria-stabilized zirconia were found to be <100nm, while that of Ce-doped yttria-stabilized zirconia was 120–150nm. Approximately 1μm grains were observed after sintering of yttria-stabilized zirconia at 1450C. Particularly, the grain boundary and also the grain interior resistivities decreased with 3% scandia-doped yttria-stabilized zirconia. It was observed that the total conductivity of 3mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia was higher than that of 3% ceria-doped yttria-stabilized zirconia.

Preparation of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia by the Reverse Microemulsion Method and the Effect of Sc and Ce Doping on Microstructure and Ionic Conductivity for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Applications. F.Öksüzömer, S.Vatansever, S.N.Koç, H.Deligöz, M.A.Gürkaynak, M.Somer: International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, 2011, 8[1], 42–4