ELECTRODE-KINETICS AT THE PT-YTTRIA-STABILIZED ZIRCONIA INTERFACE BY COMPLEX IMPEDANCE DISPERSION ANALYSIS

Low frequency impedance dispersion analysis, attributed to polarization at the electrode–electrolyte interface, exhibits a strong frequency dependence of the equivalent parallel resistor and capacitor. Such response for Pt/YSZ/Pt cells is analysed as a Cole‐Cole complex impedance–admittance dispersion with a relaxation distribution. A physical interpretation based on the results obtained and observations of reactions between noble metals and ceramic oxides, suggests the creation of a complex polarized layer at the electrode–electrolyte interface involving a proliferation of cationic species as the possible cause of irreversible energy losses in the Faradaic reactions. Their kinetics is found to change with the oxygen partial pressure of the atmosphere. Copyright © 1979 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA