Electrical properties of heterogeneously doped yttria stabilized zirconia

Abstract This paper reports the effects of heterogeneously doped Al 2 O 3 on the ionic conductivity of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ). At lower dopant concentration, grain growth occurred and the grain boundaries were re-formed. Subsequent increases in the dopant concentration decreased the grain size. The doping leads to the creation of space charge regions in the vicinity of the YSZ–Al 2 O 3 boundaries, conducive to enhanced transport of oxygen ions. The presence of Al 2 O 3 also leads to a blocking effect. The net result of the two antagonistic influences is small and reflected by a relatively minor influence on conductivity.