Electrical properties of thin-walled 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolyte tubes prepared by an improved slip casting method

Yttria (8 mol %)-stabilized zirconia electrolyte tubes with thin walls, which are 266 mm in length, 0,4-0.9 mm in thickness, and 96.7% in relative density, were prepared with an improved slip casting method. The microstructure and electrical properties of the samples sintered at different temperatures were studied using SEM and a.c. impedance spectroscopy. The effects of sintered density, grain and grain boundary on the electrical properties of samples were analyzed. The results show that the densification of samples increases gradually with increasing sintering temperatures. The microstructure of samples strongly influences their electrical properties, and with increasing sintered density, the electrical properties of samples are enhanced. The ionic conductivity of grain and grain boundary is improved as the sintering temperatures increase. The grain boundary resistance of samples sintered at 1650degreesC is higher than that of samples sintered at 1600degreesC. Better sinterability of samples was obtained at a sintering temperature of 1650degreesC. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.