Application of rare earth containing solid state ionic conductors in electrolytes

Abstract

Solid state ionic conductors have received considerable scientific attention and assumed great technological significance in recent years, due to potentially important applications in fuel cells, batteries, sensors, electrochromics, process control, environmental protection and optical materials. Some of the prominent electrolytes such as oxygen ion conductors, β-aluminas and protonically conducting perovskites contain rare earth elements as vital constituents. Some novel application of rare earth containing solid state ionic conductors in sensors for gases and molten metals are discussed.