Control and measurement of very low oxygen partial pressure with stabilized zirconia cells

Abstract

The control of very low oxygen partial pressure was carried out in the range of oxygen partial pressure from 10 −11 to 10 −22 Pa at 1023 K by pumping oxygen through a stabilized zirconia cell into or out of helium gas containing small amounts of hydrogen which was circulated by a diaphragm pump. Stabilized zirconia cells used as oxygen sensors for very low oxygen partial pressure at lower temperatures were not suitable at higher temperatures because of a lowering of the ionic transference number. Barium titanate oxygen sensors were found to be suitable for very low oxygen partial pressure at both low and high temperatures.