The set-up and calibration of a system for electrical measurements under controlled oxygen partial pressure is described. The system allows for the electrical characterization of materials from room temperature to 1000 ºC over a wide range of oxygen partial pressures ranging from 10-6 to 1 atm. The system takes advantage of the electrochemical properties of the zirconia based solid electrolytes to produce and detect controlled oxygen partial pressures with accuracy. The calibrations and tests, and also the experimental verifications of both Nernst and Faraday laws, assure that the whole experimental arrangement works properly. Such a set-up along with an impedance spectroscopy measurement system provides a useful tool to study the electrical properties of different materials. In this work, two examples concerning the electrical characterization of zirconia based electrolytes and tin oxide varistors are also presented
electrical properties; impedance spectroscopy; PO2 dependence; solid electrolytes; varistors
