Thermodynamic viability of yttria-stabilized zirconia pH sensors for high temperature aqueous solutions

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · J. Solution Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00647418· OSTI ID:6176885

MacDonald, D D; Hettiarachchi, S; Lenhart, S J

The thermodynamic viability of the yttria-stabilized zirconia sensor (YSZS) (H/sub 2/O, H..mu../ZrO/sub 2/(Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/)/HgO/Hg) for the measurement of pH in high temperature aqueous solutions is evaluated by measuring potentials for this electrode and a conventional hydrogen electrode (HE) against a common reference electrode in a variety of solutions (0.01m H/sub 3/PO/sub 4/, 1m Na/sub 2/SO/sub 4/, 0.01m B(OH)/sub 3/ + 0.01m KOH, and 0.01m KOH) at temperatures from 298.15K(25/sup 0/C) to 573.15K (300/sup 0/C). Plots of the potential of the YSZS and the HE against a common external pressure balanced reference electrode (EPBRE) demonstrate the Nerstian response of the zirconia electrode, and an analysis of the cell HE/YSZS shows that the yttria-stabilized zirconia sensor is thermodynamically viable. Accordingly, the YSZS can be used as a primary standard for the measurement of pH. The data indicate that the precision of the YSZS for measuring pH in high temperature aqueous solutions is better than +/- 0.05 pH unit at 300/sup 0/C (573.15K), provided that the activity of water and the isothermal liquid junction potential associated with the reference electrode are accurately known.

• Research Organization: SRI International, Menlo Park, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6176885
• Journal Information: J. Solution Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Solution Chem.; (United States) Vol. 17:8; ISSN JSLCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400400 -- Electrochemistry
440300* -- Miscellaneous Instruments-- (-1989)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ACCURACY
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
BORON COMPOUNDS
BORON HYDROXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DISPERSIONS
ELECTRIC MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
EQUIPMENT
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
INORGANIC ACIDS
MATERIALS TESTING
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEMBRANES
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
MERCURY OXIDES
MIXTURES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
PHOSPHORIC ACID
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDES
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM SULFATES
SOLUTIONS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TESTING
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
YTTRIUM COMPOUNDS
YTTRIUM OXIDES
ZIRCONIUM COMPOUNDS
ZIRCONIUM OXIDES