Easy-Made Setup for High-Temperature (Up to 1100 °C) Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Abstract

Abstract In the following communication, we report an easy-to-assemble Swagelok-like setup for high-temperature electrochemical impedance spectroscopy with good reproducibility based on robust 1.4114 steel 10M screws joined by non-conductive ceramics-Al2O3. We analyze the sample materials for electrochemical merits (activation energy, charge-carrier density and flatband potential) of well-known standards such as yttria-stabilized zirconia with 8 mol.% Y2O3 (8YSZ), CeO2 and In2O3. The material‘s data are compared with literature data performed on a standard impedance analyzer within a casual high-temperature commercial cells. The symmetrical cell consists of insulating material (Al2O3 screw) and two steel contacts, connected by PtRh wires of thermal resistance tolerating temperatures of 2300 °C. Our high-temperature electrochemical setup is able to withstand temperatures up to 1100 °C and can be easily and mildly cleaned for repetitive usage. In addition, we present a methodology for generation of a high-temperature sintered 8YSZ ceramics and evaluate them with our setup. We analyze the internal resistances within the setup and propose a simplified option for introduction of various gas atmospheres into the sample‘s interior, as well as evaluate the utilization of tube furnace for simplicity. We perform equivalent circuit fitting and present an easy to implement approach for reliable high-temperature electrochemistry. Graphical abstract