Effect of sintering under CO+N2/H2 and CO2+air atmospheres on the physicochemical features of a commercial nano-YSZ

Given the need to process anodes and composites based on nano-YSZ in reducing or air containing additional CO2 atmospheres for fabrication of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), electrolysis (SOECs), we have studied effect exposure CO+N2/H2 CO2+air mixtures during sintering YSZ green pellets, prepared from commercial nanopowders, their structure, microstructure, chemical composition electrical properties. The reduced sample shows Raman bands at 1298 1605 cm−1 that are assigned D G carbon, respectively. intensity ratio ID/IG indicates a larger content disordered carbon. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) C is present samples as However, sintered carbonate-type. Impedance reveals highest total conductivity whole range temperatures. In addition, causes detrimental grain boundary therefore, YSZ. It can be due presence impurities such carbonates oxidised even, polymerised carbonaceous species located those areas.