An electrochemical cell employing a YSZ electrolyte and two Au electrodes was utilized as a model system for investigating the mechanisms responsible for impedancemetric NO x (NO and NO 2 ) sensing. The cell consists of two dense Au electrodes on top of a porous/dense YSZ bilayer structure (with the additional porous layer present only under the Au electrodes). Both electrodes were co-located on the same side of the cell, resulting in an in-plane geometry for the current path. The porous YSZ appears to extend the triple phase boundary and allows for enhanced NO x sensing performance, although the exact role of the porous layer is not completely understood. Impedance data were obtained over the frequency range of 0.1 Hz to 1 MHz, and over a range of oxygen (2 to 18.9%) and NO x (10 to 100 ppm) concentrations, and temperatures (600 to 700• C). Data were fit with an equivalent circuit, and the values of the circuit elements were obtained for different concentrations and temperatures. Changes in a single low-frequency arc were found to correlate with concentration changes, and to be temperature dependent. In the absence of NO x , the effect of O 2 on the low-frequency resistance could be described by a power law, and the temperature dependence described by a single apparent activation energy at all O 2 concentrations. When both O 2 and NO x were present, however, the power law exponent varied as a function of both temperature and concentration, and the apparent activation energy also showed dual dependence. Adsorption mechanisms are discussed as possibilities for the rate-limiting steps.
INTRODUCTIONNO x sensor development is motivated by environmental concerns and poses numerous challenges including cost, sensitivity, stability, and response time. Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is currently used for automotive O 2 sensors and is particularly suited to meet the harsh, high-temperature operation requirements. Development of YSZ-based NO x sensors has focused on amperometric and potentiometric types, usually relying on various metal-oxide electrodes to optimize the response [1-3]. Two major drawbacks have been device stability and the need for complicated structures to account for interfering gases, such as O 2 . This paper presents an impedancemetric type YSZ-based model system, which has the possibility of overcoming problems associated with other types of sensors [4]. Previous work reported an impedancemetric NO x sensor using Au, porous YSZ/Cr 2 O 3 composite electrodes, and a YSZ electrolyte in an in-plane geometry [4]. Understanding the sensing mechanisms is necessary to optimize sensor operation. The present work uses a model electrochemical cell to isolate the role of the Au/porous YSZ interface. The cell consists of a dense YSZ electrolyte and two planar Au plates, with a porous YSZ layer separating the Au and dense YSZ. Impedance spectroscopy measurements were performed and then fit with an equivalent circuit. Data taken at different temperatures (600, 650, and 700• C) and concentrations are used t...