Characterization of the Electrochemical Performance of YSZ Thin

In this work, thin film yttria-stabilized zirconia [YSZ] solid electrolytes were sputtered onto insulating substrates at room temperature and 600oC in order to produce different average grain sizes (~15-50 nm). For reference, polished samples of single crystal and bulk, poly-crystalline YSZ were also used. Platinum film electrodes were then sputtered on top and lithographically patterned to give interdigitated electrodes with well-controlled geometry. Electrode patterns with variable separation distances and triple phase boundary [TPB] lengths were used. Impedance spectroscopy was carried out on these samples at controlled temperatures. Correlating the measured electrochemical performance data with sample morphology provides insight into the transport mechanisms and reaction pathways.