Abstract
The Ni/(ZrO2 + 9.5 mol% Y2O3) interface was used as a model system to investigate decomposition reactions of a yttria-stabilized ZrO2 electrolyte in contact with a metal at elevated temperature. In the present study, the sample was a diffusion-bonded symmetrical galvanic cell NiZrO2 + 9.5 mol% Y2O3Ni. Various electron microscopy techniques were used to study the morphology and structure of the reaction products at the Ni–ZrO2 electrolyte phase boundary after current flow. Below a critical oxygen partial pressure of approximately 10−27 atm, an intermetallic reaction layer formed at the Ni–electrolyte interface. Between the intermetallic layer and electrolyte a thin Y2O3 layer was present, which acted as a diffusion barrier for Zr and Ni, slowing down the overall chemical reaction. At several locations at the interface the Y2O3 layer broke up, leading to a morphological instability of the interface between electrolyte and Ni5Zr, allowing further reaction. The thickness of the total reaction layer varied widely as a consequence of such an instability.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
D. Bloor, R.J. Brook, M.C. Flemings, and S. Mahajan, The Encyclopedia of Advanced Materials (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1994).
T. Wagner, R. Kirchheim, and M. Rühle, Acta Metall. Mater. 43, 1053 (1995).
T. Wagner, R. Kirchheim, and M. Rühle, Acta. Metall. Mater. 40, S85 (1992).
A. Strecker, U. Salzberger, and J. Mayer, Prakt. Metallogr. 30, 481 (1993).
H. Rickert, Electrochemistry of Solids (Springer, Berlin, 1982).
T. Ramanarayanan and W.L. Worrell, Met. Trans. 5, 1773 (1974).
W.A. Fischer and D. Janke, Metallurgische Elektrochemie (Springer, Berlin, 1975).
Swanson and Fuyat, NBS Circular 539 3, 28 (1954).
H.G. Scott, J. Mat. Sci. 10, 1527 (1975).
C.N. Rao and G.V.S. Rao, Transition Metal Oxides (National Bureau of Standards, Washington, 1974).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wagner, T., Duscher, G. & Kirchheim, R. Decomposition of the ZrO2 electrolyte in contact with Ni: Structure and chemical composition of the Ni–electrolyte interface. Journal of Materials Research 14, 3340–3345 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.1999.0452
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.1999.0452