Flash in argon atmosphere yields electronically conducting yttria‐stabilized zirconia at ambient temperature

Abstract

Abstract This is the second report on the retention of electronic conductivity in yttria‐stabilized zirconia at room temperature after cooling down from the state of flash . In the first report, the specimens (which were flashed in air) were quenched by in‐flash immersion into liquid nitrogen. Now we show that if the specimens are flashed in Ar in a glove box (O 2 < 1 ppm), then they remain electronic conductors under nominal cooling. Indeed, the conductivity of the Ar‐flashed specimens is higher than the conductivity of LN 2 ‐quenched samples. In both instances, their conductivity increases with flash current. In contrast, specimens flashed in air, and then air‐cooled, become insulating akin to their original condition. We propose a possible pathway for such a reaction. In addition, we report measurements of the interface resistance at the anode and the cathode by the four‐point technique. In air, the resistance at anode is higher than at the cathode, and the sum of the interface resistances is about one half of the total end‐to‐end resistance.