This study is an effort to cover and interconnect multiple aspects of the fabrication of the yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) from powder preparation to a solid electrolyte suitable for utilization in solid oxide cells. Thus, a series of YSZ electrolytes was prepared, differing in the content of the Y2O3 dopant and in the method of preparation. Combustion synthesis along with the thermal decomposition of precursors was used for YSZ powder synthesis with a dopant content of 8 to 18 mol.%. Post-synthesis treatment of the powder was necessary for achieving satisfactory quality of the subsequent sintering step. The morphology analyses of the YSZ powders and sintered electrolytes produced proved that small particles with a uniform size distribution are essential for obtaining a dense electrolyte. Furthermore, the conductivity of YSZ electrolytes with different Y2O3 contents was examined in the temperature range of 400 to 800 °C. The lowest conductivity was found for the sample with the highest Y2O3 content. The obtained results enable the preparation methods, YSZ powder morphology, and composition to be connected to the mechanical and electrochemical properties of the YSZ electrolyte. Thus, this study links every step of YSZ electrolyte fabrication, which has not been sufficiently clearly described until now.

Electrolytes utilized in solid oxide cells (SOCs) are based on oxide ion-conductive ceramic materials. The conductivity occurs via oxygen vacancies in the crystal lattice, which are created by the introduction of dopant into the material. Fast and simple preparation of electrolytes using variable dopant content is of great importance for SOCs development. ZrO2 doped by Y2O3 (YSZ) is still considered to be a state-of-the-art material due to its conductivity and thermomechanical compatibility with electrodes. Therefore, a detailed procedure to fabricate YSZ electrolytes with desired dopant content is of significant importance. Each prepared electrolyte was examined by means of spectroscopic methods in combination with electrochemical ones. The results obtained allows to understand connection between electrolyte composition and structural properties.