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Simple method for determining metal power oxidation kinetics with a zirconia sensor

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Abstract

A basic zirconia oxygen sensor was utilized to monitor the gas–solid oxidation reaction characteristics of metal/metal-oxide powder beds. The method described allowed for simple determination of chemical reaction rate constants for the oxidation reactions. The signal output of the sensor was analyzed for oxidation of the powder bed and diffusion of oxygen into the powder bed. The oxygen transport mechanisms occurring inside the sensor were described to further understand the signal outputs from the powder bed, and a discussion of relevant thermodynamic and kinetic theory was provided. Two metal/metal-oxide systems were examined using this device to demonstrate its performance. The simple Ni/NiO system was chosen to demonstrate feasibility, and the complex W/WO3 system was chosen to demonstrate versatility of the sensor. Combining the experimental data with relevant kinetic theory, chemical reaction rate constants were calculated from plots of sensor ocv versus time for each reaction step during the metal oxidation sequences.

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Acknowledgments

The financial support of the Boston University Ignition Award is gratefully acknowledged. The assistance of Dr. Eric Gratz, Mr. Romain Haboury, and Mr. Robert Sjostrom is also greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Boston University, 110 Cummington Street, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Jarrod D. Milshtein, Soumendra N. Basu, Srikanth Gopalan & Uday B. Pal

  2. Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, 15 Saint Mary’s Street, Brookline, MA, 02446, USA

    Jarrod D. Milshtein, Soumendra N. Basu, Srikanth Gopalan & Uday B. Pal

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  1. Jarrod D. Milshtein
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  2. Soumendra N. Basu
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  3. Srikanth Gopalan
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  4. Uday B. Pal
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Correspondence to Uday B. Pal.

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Milshtein, J.D., Basu, S.N., Gopalan, S. et al. Simple method for determining metal power oxidation kinetics with a zirconia sensor. J Appl Electrochem 45, 1025–1034 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-015-0872-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-015-0872-6

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