Proton-Conducting Thin Film Grown on Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Surface for Ammonia Gas Sensing Technologies

Abstract

We demonstrate an approach to impart both proton conduction and solid acidity to the surface of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). By reacting a YSZ substrate with liquid at , a thin film is grown on the substrate, which shows proton conductivity dependence on humidity and strong acid sites interacting with basic ammonia gas. This technique can be applied to gas sensor devices, yielding a remarkably sensitive and selective response to low concentrations (parts per million) of ammonia. Another important achievement of this technique is the realization of sensing properties in spite of using a conventional Pt electrode.