Ionic conductivity and electrical relaxation of nanocrystalline scandia-stabilized c-zirconia using complex impedance analysis

A solid solution of 8 mol% of scandia-stabilized cubic-zirconia (8ScSZ) has been prepared by co-precipitation technique. The synthesized powder has an average crystallite size ∼40 nm, surface area of 8.49 m2/g, and agglomerated particle size of 150 nm. The activation energy of 8ScSZ has been calculated from impedance loss spectra; electrical modulus spectra are in the range of 0.90-1.30 eV. The frequency and temperature-dependent conductivities and impedance were measured in range of 50 Hz-1 MHz and 300-900 K, respectively. Complex impedance spectra, complex modulus formalism and complex conductivity spectra have been carefully analyzed in order to separate the grain, grain boundary and electrode-electrolyte effects. Analysis of ac impedance data using complex impedance indicates a typical negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behavior of the materials. The intrinsic conductivity is mainly due to hopping of mobile ions among the available localized site. Relaxation time obtained from complex conductivity spectra are matched well with the impedance loss and modulus loss spectra. Impedance analysis suggests the presence of temperature-dependent electrical relaxation process in the material.