doi:10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2004.12.026
Copyright © 2005 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.
Electrochemical decomposition of NO over composite electrodes on YSZ electrolyte
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Hwa-Seob Songa, Jooho Moona,
,
and Hae Jin Hwangb
aSchool of Advanced Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 120-749, Republic of Korea
bDepartment of Ceramic Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 402-751, Republic of Korea
Received 7 June 2004;
revised 22 November 2004;
accepted 5 December 2004.
Available online 23 February 2005.
Abstract
NO decomposition over electrochemical cells that involve a bilayered composite electrode has been investigated. NO was decomposed only after a minimum current density was applied and its conversion increased abruptly with increasing applied current. The compositions of phases and their spatial distribution on the cathode strongly influenced the decomposition activity as a function of the current density since they are directly correlated with the site and number densities of the triple-phase boundary and the electrochemically induced active site, i.e., F-center. The [(La2Sn2O7 + YSZ)/Pt] electrode could convert more than 85% of NO into N2 at 200 mA/cm2 whereas only 27% was decomposed over the platinum electrode although the latter was more electrochemically active at lower current
70 mA/cm2. The addition of Pt into the [(La2Sn2O7 + YSZ)/Pt] composite electrode not only expands the densities of the tpb and F-centers but also enhances competitive NO adsorption as indirectly confirmed by impedance spectroscopy, both of which promote NO conversion at the lower current density.
Keywords: ZrO2; Electrode; Membrane; La2Sn2O7; NO
Fig. 1. Configuration of an electrochemical cell and characterization system for NO decomposition.
Fig. 2. SEM micrographs showing microstructural variation during sintering for three different electrodes: (a)/(b) the Pt electrode; (c)/(d) the (La2Sn2O7 + YSZ)/Pt electrode; and (e)/(f) the (La2Sn2O7 + Pt + YSZ)/Pt. Sintering was performed at 1400 °C for 4 h.
Fig. 3. NO decomposition as a function of the applied current for different electrodes in the electrochemical cells.
Fig. 4. Compositional variation of platinum across the (LSO + YSZ)/Pt composite electrode-YSZ electrolyte interface with cross sectional SEM micrograph.
Fig. 5. Impedance spectroscopy for the (LSO + Pt + YSZ)/Pt, (La2Sn2O7 + YSZ)/Pt, and Pt electrodes when applied current density is (a) 100 mA/cm2 (b) 200 mA/cm2. Measurement was taken at 700 °C.
Fig. 6. Current efficiency of NO decomposition as a function of the applied current for difference electrode types at 700 °C.
Table 1.
Results of impedance spectroscopy for three electrodes as a function of the current density measured in a reaction atmosphere at 700 °C


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