Ceramic oxide electrolytes based on Ca_0.95 Mg_0.05 Zr_0.98O₃ for solid galvanic cells application

The Ca_0.95Mg_0.05ZrO₃ nanopowder was successfully synthesized by the citrate method. The XRD diffraction method evaluated that the orthorombic CaZrO₃ phase was detected in powders or sintered samples. The sintered sample at 1450°C for 2 hours exhibits about 98% of theoretical density. The electrical conductivity was measured by a.c impedance spectroscopy method in the temperature range of 200-800°C. The transference oxygen ion number of CaZrO₃ sample was estimated from electromotive force measurements (E_m) of galvanic cell in the temperature range of 550-1100°C. The Ca_0.95Mg_0.05ZrO₃ exhibits purely oxygen ion conductivity. It was successfully applied as a solid electrolyte in the electrochemical oxygen sensor operating at 660°C. The measured electromotive force of investigated cell was found to be linear with the logarithm of oxygen partial pressure in the range of 10^-6 atm 1 atm and in the temperature range of 660-1000°C.