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The zirconium/hydrogen system as the solid-state reference of a high-temperature proton conductor-based hydrogen sensor

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Abstract

A new solid-state hydrogen reference electrode has been developed that is based on the two-component two-phase mixture of β-zirconium and δ-zirconium hydride, and is suitable for use in conjunction with the high-temperature proton-conducting CaZr0.9In0.1O3−δ solid electrolyte. Coulometric titration studies have confirmed the presence of a true two-phase plateau, existing over a wide composition range, which may be exploited as a precision thermodynamic buffer for reference hydrogen partial pressure. Cell voltage measurements have demonstrated that potentiometric hydrogen sensors incorporating this reference electrode exhibit Nernstian response over a broad range of temperature and hydrogen partial pressure, as well as excellent thermal cycling and long-term stability. The new solid-state hydrogen reference electrode is of considerable technological relevance and has already found application in a commercialised sensor unit.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support of this study by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as well as Environmental Monitoring and Control Limited (EMC) is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK

    M. P. Hills, C. Schwandt & R. V. Kumar

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  1. M. P. Hills
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  2. C. Schwandt
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  3. R. V. Kumar
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Correspondence to C. Schwandt.

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Hills, M.P., Schwandt, C. & Kumar, R.V. The zirconium/hydrogen system as the solid-state reference of a high-temperature proton conductor-based hydrogen sensor. J Appl Electrochem 41, 499–506 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-011-0260-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-011-0260-9

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