Influence of flash sintering on the ionic conductivity of 8 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia

The ionic conductivity of flash-sintered, polycrystalline 8 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) was enhanced compared with that of conventionally-sintered specimens. Flash sintering was carried out at a furnace temperature of 850 degrees C with an electric field of 100 V cm(-1) to initiate flash. The current density limit was varied between 60 and 100 mA mm(-2). Post-flash impedance measurements over the range 215-900 degrees C showed that both bulk and grain boundary conductivities had increased with the increased current density limit which was set prior to flash. The conductivity increases post-flash were ionic, not electronic, although electronic conductivity probably occurred, in addition to ionic conductivity, during flash. The conductivity increases were not attributable to sample densification or microstructural changes. The higher ionic conductivities are attributed to a change in YSZ defect structure that led to an increased concentration of mobile charge carriers; possible explanations for this are discussed.