Effect of Oxygen Partial Pressure in Atmosphere on Thermoelectromotive Force of Solid Electrolytes

A dependency of thermoelectromotive force of solid electrolytes, zirconia stabilized by 11 mol%CaO, 9 mol%MgO and 15mol%MgO, on oxygen partial pressure in atmosphere were observed. Oxygen partial pressure, temperature difference and temperature are controlled between 0.21 and 5×10-19 atm, between 50 and 400°C as well as between 700 and 1250°C, respectively.Experimental results are as follows : above about 5×10-5 atm of oxygen partial pressure in atmosphere, the lower oxygen partial pressure, the larger thermoelectromotive force. Between about 5×10-5 and 5×10-15 atm, the lower oxygen partial pressure, the smaller thermoelectromotive force. Under about 5×10-15 atm, the lower oxygen partial pressure, the larger thermoelectromotive force.The complex phenomenon can be explained by an assumption that the observed thermoelectromotive force is consisted by that induced by ion and electron.