Impedance Analysis of Electrochemical NOx Sensor Using a Au/Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ)/Au cell
An electrochemical cell employing a YSZ electrolyte and two Au electrodes was utilized as a model system for investigating the mechanisms responsible for impedance metric NO{sub x} (NO and NO{sub 2}) sensing. The cell consists of two dense Au electrodes on top of a porous/dense YSZ bilayer structure (with the additional porous layer present only under the Au electrodes). Both electrodes were co-located on the same side of the cell, resulting in an in-plane geometry for the current path. The porous YSZ appears to extend the triple phase boundary and allows for enhanced NO{sub x} sensing performance, although the exact role of the porous layer is not completely understood. Impedance data were obtained over the frequency range of 0.1 Hz to 1 MHz, and over a range of oxygen (2 to 18.9%) and NO{sub x} (10 to 100 ppm) concentrations, and temperatures (600 to 700 C). Data were fit with an equivalent circuit, and the values of the circuit elements were obtained for different concentrations and temperatures. Changes in a single low-frequency arc were found to correlate with concentration changes, and to be temperature dependent. In the absence of NO{sub x}, the effect of O{sub 2} on the low-frequency resistance could be described by a power law, and the temperature dependence described by a single apparent activation energy at all O{sub 2} concentrations. When both O{sub 2} and NO{sub x} were present, however, the power law exponent varied as a function of both temperature and concentration, and the apparent activation energy also showed dual dependence. Adsorption mechanisms are discussed as possibilities for the rate-limiting steps.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 900174
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-PROC-226274; TRN: US200709%%423
- Resource Relation:
- Journal Volume: 972; Conference: Presented at: 2006 MRS Fall Meeting, Boston, MA, United States, Nov 26 - Dec 01, 2006
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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