Abstract
We demonstrate an instrument for spatially resolved measurements (mapping) of electrochemical impedance under various temperatures and gas environments. Automated measurements are controlled by a custom LabVIEW program, which manages probe motion, sample motion, temperature ramps, and potentiostat functions. Sample and probe positioning is provided by stepper motors. Dry or hydrated atmospheres (air or nitrogen) are available. The configurable heater reaches temperatures up to 500 °C, although the temperature at the sample surface is moderated by the gas flow rate. The local gas environment is controlled by directing flow toward the sample via a glass enclosure that surrounds the gold wire probe. Software and hardware selection and design are discussed. Reproducibility and accuracy are quantified on a Ba(Zr,Y)O3−δ proton-conducting electrolyte thin film synthesized by pulsed laser deposition. The mapping feature of the instrument is demonstrated on a compositionally graded array of electrocatalytically active Ba(Co,Fe,Zr,Y)O3−δ thin film microelectrodes. The resulting data indicate that this method proficiently maps property trends in these materials, thus demonstrating the reliability and usefulness of this method for investigating electrochemically active thin films.
Original language | American English |
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Article number | 065105 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Review of Scientific Instruments |
Volume | 92 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jun 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2021 Public Domain.
NREL Publication Number
- NREL/JA-5K00-78439
Keywords
- catalysts and catalysis
- cathodes
- electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
- electrolytes
- fuel cells
- ionic conductivity
- microelectrode arrays
- mixed conductivity
- pulsed laser deposition
- thin films