Low-temperature Sintering of Yttria-stabilized Zirconia Using Bismuth–Vanadium Oxide as a Sintering Aid at 800 °C

Abstract

Abstract The effect of the addition of copper-doped bismuth–vanadium oxide to yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) on the sinterability and electrical conductivity, especially in reducing atmospheres, has been investigated. When Bi2Cu0.1V0.9O5.35 was used as a sintering aid, the sintering temperature could be reduced to 800 °C, whereas the conventional sintering process requires temperatures above 1300 °C. Although the conductivity of YSZ with 1.5 mol % Bi2Cu0.1V0.9O5.35 was slightly lower than that of pure YSZ sintered at 1300 °C, no PO2 dependence was observed under reducing conditions (e.g., PO2 = 10−5–10−24 atm), which indicates that the electrolyte is applicable to solid-oxide fuel cells.