Browsing by Author "Plashnitsa, Vladimir"

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Characterization of the CO sensitivity of electrode materials by solid electrolyte galvanic cells
(2004) Plashnitsa, Vladimir; Aldinger, Fritz (Prof. Dr.)
The voltage of a galvanic cell using stabilized zirconia as a solid electrolyte can exhibit deviations from the equilibrium value given by the Nernst equation, if oxygen together with traces of an oxidizable gas like CO is exposed to one of the electrodes of the cell. This is called the non-Nernstian voltage behaviour. The basic principle of operation is not yet finally cleared since the experimental results are in accordance with two theoretical approaches. Aiming at a better understanding of the background of this phenomenon the mechanism of functioning of solid electrolyte galvanic cells with various sensing electrode materials (Pt1-xAux alloys) in oxygen containing atmospheres with different CO concentrations at moderate temperatures has been studied by means of electrochemical methods. The characterization of the CO sensitivity and understanding the behaviour of the Pt1-xAux sensing electrodes was done by means of the one-electrolyte galvanic cell and by new approaches based on the bi-electrolyte measuring principle. The CO sensitivity, defined as the difference between the experimental voltage at finite CO concentrations and that under zero CO content, was characterized by the cell voltage measurements within the temperature range of 400-700 °C as a function of the CO concentration in the measuring gas (0-40 000 ppm), the composition of the Pt1-xAux sensing electrodes as well as the reference electrode potential (under O2 and H2/H2O). The dependence of voltage of the one–electrolyte cell with Pt0.2Au0.8 and pure Au sensing electrodes repeats practically that for the Pt electrode, which is close to the theoretical curve. On the other hand, the voltage response of the cell with Pt0.8Au0.2 and Pt0.5Au0.5 sensing electrodes differs greatly from that expected theoretically. The CO sensitivity for the same sensing electrodes varies slightly using different reference electrode potentials. The Pt1-xAux (0