Study of Reversible Electrode Reaction and Mixed Ionic And
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STUDY OF REVERSIBLE ELECTRODE REACTION AND MIXED IONIC AND
ELECTRONIC CONDUCTION OF LITHIUM PHOSPHATE ELECTROLYTE FOR
AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CO2 GAS SENSOR
DISSERTATION
Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for
the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate
School of The Ohio State University
By
Chong-Hoon Lee, M.S.
*****
The Ohio State University
2004
Dissertation Committee:
Professor Sheikh A. Akbar, Advisor Approved by
Professor Gerald S. Frankel
Professor Henk Verweij Advisor
Professor Charles E. Albright Dept. of Materials Science & Engineering ABSTRACT
An electrochemical CO2 gas sensor with lithium ion conductor was developed and characterized in order to examine the potential for real-life applications and understand
its sensing mechanism. Li2CO3 and Li2TiO3+TiO2 mixture were used as a sensing and a reference auxiliary phase, respectively. This electrochemical cell with a solid state
Li3PO4 electrolyte has shown good selectivity, sensitivity and linear response in
laboratory and automobile exhaust tests. However, the sensor response to CO2 gas showed a systematic deviation from the Nernst equation. Measured EMF did not agree with that calculated from the Nernst equation, even though it followed logarithmic behavior. Moreover, high sensitivity was observed for high CO2 concentrations (5~50%), compared to that for concentrations (500~5000 ppm). Two possible reasons for this deviation are: (1) reversibility of electrode reaction and (2) mixed ionic and electronic conduction of the electrolyte. Unless electrode reaction is fast enough, electrode polarization can easily induce overpotential. Pure ionic conduction of electrolyte is also necessary to avoid EMF loss during open circuit potential measurement.
EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) was used to study electrode kinetics.
We found that Li2TiO3+TiO2 mixture reference electrode reaction is sluggish showing large electrode impedance. This impedance, however, was not affected by gas concentration change. On the other hand, that at the Li2CO3 sensing electrode is relatively
small and it increased with decreased CO2 and O2 concentration. It was also observed that these electrode impedances induced the overpotential when the current flowed through the sensor. This electrode overpotential problem was minimized by mixing gold powder or porous sputtered gold electrode increasing effective reaction sites of the electrode. New electrode design improved the sensor EMF closer to the Nernstian values, however,
ii the discrepancy still remained. Moreover, at higher sensor operating temperatures (T>500°C), the sensitivity deviated even further from the Nernstian value. Therefore, the temperature dependence of the current sensor clearly indicates that the non-Nernstian behavior is not just due to non-reversible electrode reaction.
More significant effect on the non-Nernstain behavior is due to mixed ionic and
electronic conduction of Li3PO4 electrolyte. Based on the EMF measurement and a modified Nernst equation, the transference number was estimated and the conduction domain boundary separating the n-type from the ionic conduction was constructed. This calculation predicted that the sensing side Li activity would be such that the electrolyte would be a mixed conduction (electronic and ionic) domain. Hebb-Wagner (HW) DC polarization measurement also confirmed a significant n-type electronic conduction of
Li3PO4 electrolyte. The transference numbers obtained from the EMF measurement and the HW DC polarization measurement were compared and the results confirmed that the origin of the non-Nernstian sensor behavior is mainly due to the mixed conduction of
Li3PO4 electrolyte at high temperatures (>500°C).
iii
Dedicated to my parents
iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I owe this dissertation to many people. First and foremost, I thank my advisor Dr. Sheikh Akbar for his support, guidance, and encouragement, especially for his patience. He is not only an advisor but also a mentor in my graduate school life. I thank Dr. Prabir Dutta and Dr. Henk Verweij for their advice and discussion we had. Especially, I acknowledge Dr. Verweij for his suggestion in finishing this dissertation. I am also grateful to Dr. Gerald Frankel for his advice in his class, candidacy exam, and final oral exam. Sensor characterization could not have been accomplished without the help of Cameron Begg and Hendrik O. Colijn. I am really thankful for all of their sincere help and advice. My special thanks have to go to Oswaldo Figueroa, who performed the sensor test in the engine and Dr. Ramasamy Ramamoorthy for intriguing discussion. My sincere thanks are due to Center for Industrial Sensors and Measurements (CISM) staff, Jin Wang and Kathy Honest. I also received a lot of help from all of my previous CISM colleagues, Dr. Nick Szabo, Dr. Shaestagir Chowdhury, Dr. Nancy Savage, Lian Chiang, Badri Narayanan, Adnan Merhaba, Sidharth Kapileshwar, Kunal Vaed, Yumin Lu, Samuel Shian and Santi Chrisanti. I cannot forget the help and friendship of current CISM students Sehoon Yoo, Jingyu Shi, Di Yu, Matthew Mottern, and Greg Quickel. I also thank visiting scholars, Dr. Jinsung Park, Dr. Sungpil Lee, Dr. Jonghwa Moon, Dr. Chong-Ook Park for their encouragement and discussion. I would not have finished this study without friendship and encouragement of other Korean students, Wonchul Lee, Eunguk Lee, Youngho Kim, Yuchae Yun, Eunwha
v Lee, Hyungchan Kim, Huyoung Lee, Jiho Kang, Youngsuk Kim, Junho Moon, Hongjin Kim, and Jin Nam who have been almost like my family. Above all, I cannot forget to express my heartful thanks to my family in Korea.
vi VITA
September 10, 1971…………………………… Born – Seoul, Korea
1998…………………………………………… B.S. Metallurgical engineering
Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea
2000……………………………………………..M.S. Materials Science and Engineering,
The Ohio State University,
Columbus, Ohio
2000 – present……………………………………Graduate Research Associate
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
PUBLICATION
Research Publications
1. N. Szabo, C. Lee, J. Trimboli, O. Figueroa, R. Ramamoorthy, S. Midlam-Mohler, A. Soliman, H. Verweij, P. Dutta, S. Akbar, “Ceramic-based chemical sensors, probes and field-tests in automobile engines.”, J. Mater. Sci., 38(21), 4239, (2003).
2. C.O. Park, C. Lee, S.A. Akbar and J. Hwang, “The origin of oxygen dependence in a
potentiometric CO2 sensor with Li-ionconducting electrolytes” Sensors and Actuators B, 88, 53, (2003)
vii 3. C. Lee, S.A. Akbar and C.O. Park, “Potentiometric type CO2 gas sensor with lithium phosphrous oxynitride electrolyte”, Sensors and Actuators B, 80, 234, (2001)
FIELDS OF STUDY
Major Field: Materials Science and Engineering
viii TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Abstract...... ii
Dedication ...... iv
Acknowledgments...... v
Vita...... vii
List of Tables ...... xi
List of Figures...... xii
Chapters:
1. Introduction ...... 1
1.1 CO2 gas property and CO2 sensor application ...... 2 1.1.1 Physical properties of CO2 gas ...... 2 1.1.2 Biochemical properties of CO2 gas...... 3 1.1.3 Chemical properties of CO2 gas...... 4 1.2 CO2 gas sensors in the market and the literature ...... 5
2. Electrochemical CO2 gas sensor ...... 12
2.1 Solid state electrochemical CO2 gas sensors: Literature Review ...... 12 2.1.1 Type I sensor...... 15 2.1.2 Type II sensor ...... 16 2.1.3 Type III sensor ...... 18 2.1.4 Anion Conductor-based CO2 sensor ...... 24 2.2 Experimental...... 25 2.2.1 Sensor Fabrication ...... 26 2.2.2 Sensor Characterization ...... 27 2.2.3 Sensing Measurements...... 27 2.3 Results and Discussion ...... 28 2.3.1 CO2 sensor test in the lab...... 28 ix 2.3.2 Sensor test in automobile engine ...... 37 2.4 Summary...... 38
3. Reversibility for sensor electrodes...... 65
3.1 Reversible electrochemical reactrion...... 65 3.1.1 EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) for electrode kinetic study...... 66 3.2 Experimental...... 74 3.2.1 Solartron 1260A Impedance Analyzer...... 74 3.2.2 Sample preparation ...... 75 3.2.3 EIS measurement ...... 76 3.3 Results and Discussion ...... 77 3.3.1 Sensor test with modified gold electrode...... 77 3.3.2 Impedance spectroscopy of sensor electrode materials ...... 78 3.4 Summary...... 83
4. The effect of mixed ionic and electronic conduction in the electrolyte to CO2 gas sensor ...... 105
4.1 Measurement of partial electronic or ionic conduction ...... 106 4.1.1 Conduction domain...... 106 4.1.2 Experimental Method to verify the Transference Number for a MIEC ...... 109 4.2 Experimental...... 114 4.3 Results and Discussion ...... 115 4.3.1 Total electrical conductivity measurement for Li3PO4 electrolyte ...... 115 4.3.2 EMF measurement...... 117 4.3.3 Hebb-Wagner (HW) Polarization Method...... 121 4.4 Summary...... 123
5. Conclusions and scope for future research ...... 135
Bibliography ...... 138
x LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
2.1 Solid state electrochemical CO2 gas sensors reported in the literature...... 14
2.2 Fitting equations for measured EMF vs. calculated EMF based on Nernst equation between 500 ppm and 5000 ppm CO2 concentration...... 30
2.3 Fitting equations for measured EMF vs. calculated EMF based on Nernst equation between 5% and 50% CO2 concentration...... 30
2.4 Standard formation energy of Li2CO3, TiO2, Li2TiO3 and CO2 at different temperatures [50]...... 31
2.5 IR drop and overpotential calculations based on open circuit potential measuring current and sensor impedance at 500 ppm CO2...... 32
2.6 Sensor response times when CO2 concentration was changed from 500 ppm to 1000 ppm ...... 33
2.7 Oxygen dependence at 500 ppm CO2 concentration for 400°C, 500°C and 600°C...... 35
3.1 Values of resistance and capacitance in the equivalent circuits of the testing cells...... 79
4.1 Total Conductivity from the AC measurement with gold ion blocking electrode (sputtered gold and gold paste)...... 115
4.2 Comparison of Ea and σ0 for Li3PO4 electrolyte of present study and literature...... 116
4.3 Calculated ionic transference numbers from EMF measurement at 400, 500, and 600°C under various CO2 concentrations...... 121
4.4 Plateau current, electronic conductivity and ionic transference number calculated from HW method and EMF measurement at 400, 500 and 600°C...... 122 xi LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1.1 Man-made contributions to Greenhouse effect [6] (CFC: chlorofluorocarbons)...... 10
1.2 Fossil fuel-based CO2 emissions: 1860-1982 (Marland and Rotty 1983) [10]...... 11
1.3 Global atmospheric CO2 (solid line) and projection of simulated high growth rate of fossil fuel production since 1974 (dashed line) [10]...... 11
2.1 Illustration of electrochemical equilibrium of oxygen and YSZ at triple phase boundary...... 45
2.2 (a) Schematic diagram for solid state K2SO4 type II sensor [6]. (b) Schematic diagram for fused salt K2SO4 sensor [35]...... 46
2.3 Schematic of Type III sensor structure with Li2CO3 sensing electrode, Li2TiO3+TiO2 reference electrode and Li3PO4 lithium ion selective solid electrolyte...... 47
2.4 (a) Gold electrode design for fast ion conducting auxiliary phase. (b) Gold electrode design for non ion conducting auxiliary phase...... 48
2.5 Schematic of electrochemical, chemical, and electrical potential profile at equilibrium in the type III sensor structure...... 49
2.6 Type III sensor design with lithium phosphate lithium ion conductor...... 50
2.7 Planar type sensor design...... 50
2.8 XRD spectra for Li3PO4 +SiO2 5 mol% before sintering...... 51
2.9 XRD spectra for Li3PO4 +SiO2 5 mol% after sintering...... 52
2.10 SEM photo of Li3PO4+SiO2 5 mol%...... 53
xii 2.11 SEM photo of Li3PO4+SiO2 5 mol% ...... 53
2.12 SEM photo of Li2CO3 sensing electrode surface...... 54
2.13 SEM photo of Li2CO3 sensing electrode surface...... 54
2.14 SEM photo of Li2TiO3+TiO2 reference electrode surface...... 55
2.15 SEM photo of Li2TiO3+TiO2 reference electrode surface...... 55
2.16 Schematic of the sensor test assembly...... 56
2.17 Gas flow meter and tube furnace...... 56
2.18 Aging profile for sensor before sensing test...... 57
2.19 Typical sensing test data from 500 ppm CO2 to 50 % CO2 between 400°C and 600°C...... 57
2.20 Comparison of measured EMF and theoretically calculated EMF at 500°C, 550°C and 600°C...... 58
2.21 Comparison of measured EMF and theoretically calculated EMF at 400°C and 500°C...... 58
2.22 EMF comparisons of different internal impedance of multimeter at different temperatures...... 59
2.23 Typical sensor response time at 550°C...... 59
2.24 The time dependence of sensor EMF...... 60
2.25 Sensor EMFs from different 6 sensors...... 60
2.26 Oxygen dependence under 500 ppm and 3000 ppm CO2 at 400°C...... 61
2.27 Humidity interference during the gas concentration change from 500 ppm to 5000 ppm CO2 at 600°C. Humid gas was introduced between on and off...... 61
2.28 Humidity interference during the gas concentration change from 5% to 50% CO2 at 600°C. Humid gas was introduced between on and off...... 62
2.29 Measured EMF of the sensor vs. theoretically calculated EMF as a function of temperature for various CO2 partial pressures...... 62
xiii 2.30 Sensor test in Fiat diesel engine. Horiba commercial gas analyzer was used to verify CO2 concentration. (from Oswaldo Figueroa)...... 63
2.31 Sensor test in Fiat diesel engine for three different days. (from Oswaldo Figueroa)...... 63
2.32 Measured EMF with the PID controlled micro-furnace in the platform before and after engine test. (from Oswaldo Figueroa) ...... 64
3.1 Randles circuits for (A) a ideally polarizable electrode and (B) a non-polarizable electrode (Reversible electrode) [2]...... 88
3.2 Current-Voltage responses of (A) a polarizable electrode and (B) a non-polarizable electrode (Reversible electrode) [2]...... 88
3.3 The impedance Z plotted as a planar vector in the rectangular and polar coordinates [3]...... 89
3.4 General semicircles of impedance elements contributing overpotentials of solid state electrochemical cell in the impedance plane [6]...... 89
3.5 (A) Model A (Randles equivalent circuit) and (B) schematic impedance plot...... 90
3.6 Model B (Warburg Impedance in series with Rct)...... 90
3.7 Finite Warburg impedance in the intercalation system [3]...... 91
3.8 Infinite Warburg impedance in gas diffusion electrode [3]...... 91
3.9 Model C (Warburg Impedance in series with Randle circuit)...... 92
3.10 Schematic of transfer function analyzer [3]...... 92
3.11 Back scattered SEM photo of Li2TiO3+TiO2 with gold powder mixture (white: gold, dark:Li2TiO3+TiO2) (A) 400X (B) 1600X...... 93
3.12 Back scattered SEM photo of Li2CO3 with gold powder mixture. (A) Top of the Li2CO3 with gold powder electrode (faced to gas) (B) Bottom of the Li2CO3 with gold powder electrode (faced to electrolyte) ...... 94
3.13 Schematic of two different types of particle mixture...... 95
3.14 EMF comparison between sensors with and without gold powder...... 96
xiv 3.15 Backscattered SEM photo of sputtered gold on top of Li3PO4 electrolyte (white: gold, black: Li3PO4 electrolyte)...... 96
3.16 EMF comparison between sensors with Au paste and sputtered gold electrodes...... 97
3.17 Impedance spectra for different electrodes at 500°C...... 97
3.18 Impedance spectra for the cell-LC under different CO2 concentrations at 500°C...... 98
3.19 Impedance spectra for the cell-LT under different CO2 and O2 concentrations at 500°C...... 98
3.20 Impedance spectra for the cell-LT with and without gold powder at 500°C...... 99
3.21 Impedance spectra for the cell-LC with gold powder at 500°C...... 99
3.22 Impedance spectra for the cell-LT (without Au) and the cell-LT with gold powder and the cell-LT with sputtered gold at 500 ppm CO2 and 10% O2 at 500°C...... 100
3.23 Impedance spectra for the cell-LT (without Au) and the cell-LT with gold powder and the cell-LT with sputtered gold at 500 ppm CO2 and 10% O2 at 600°C...... 100
3.24 Impedance spectra for the cell-LC with sputtered gold under various CO2 and O2 concentrations at 400°C...... 101
3.25 Impedance spectra for the cell-LC with sputtered gold under various CO2 and O2 concentrations at 500°C...... 101
3.26 Impedance spectra for the cell-LC with sputtered gold under various CO2 and O2 concentrations at 600°C...... 102
3.27 Impedance spectra for the cell-LC with sputtered gold under various CO2 and O2 concentrations (5%~50% CO2) at 600°C...... 103
3.28 I-V curve under 5000 ppm CO2 and 10% O2 at 500°C...... 104
4.1 Schematic representation of partial electrical conductivity behavior for MaXb solid electrolyte [16]...... 128
4.2 Schematic representation of log σ surfaces over log PX2, 1/T space [13]...... 128
xv 4.3 Logarithmic I vs. V curve for AgI. (○) and (X) have the same indications to that of figure 3.1 [24]...... 129
4.4 I vs. V curve of AgBr. (○) indicates points taken with increasing and (X) with decreasing potential [24]...... 129
4.5 Transference number measurement by the Tubandt’s method [28]...... 130
4.6 Typical impedance plot for gold ion blocking electrode for Li3PO4 in air at 500°C...... 130
4.7 Impedance plot of gold ion blocking electrode for Li3PO4 under different gas environments...... 131
4.8 Arrhenius plot of the total conductivity of Li3PO4 electrolyte with gold ion blocking electrode...... 131
4.9 The electron conduction parameter boundary calculated from the measured EMF for various concentrations of CO2 at 400, 500 and 600°C...... 132
4.10 The sensitivity of CO2 sensing electrochemical cell measured using various Li-ion conducting electrolytes: LIPON (Li2.88PO3.73N0.14), Li3PO4+SiO2 (5 m/o) and Li3PO4+TiO2 (5 m/o)...... 132
4.11 The electron conduction parameter boundary calculated with different conditions for various concentrations of CO2 at 400, 500 and 600°C...... 133
4.12 A typical time response of the current in HW measurement for Li3PO4...... 133
4.13 HW curve for Li3PO4 : steady-state current as a function of the applied voltage at 500°C...... 134
4.14 HW curve for Li3PO4 : steady-state current as a function of the applied voltage at 600°C...... 134
xvi CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
The development of chemical gas sensors is required due to concern over environmental pollution, flammable gases, efficiency in combustion and optimum control of industrial processes related to gas manufacturing [1-4]. The essential features utilizing the ceramic technology for this aim are much cheaper manufacturing cost, smaller devices than those of traditional analytical instruments with reasonable accuracy, and long term-stability [4].
Reliable CO2 gas sensors are needed for monitoring the environment, air quality in buildings, corrosion rate in chemical processing, carbonation of concrete and in modified atmospheres packaging (MAP) of food.
Solid state electrochemical sensors have attracted a lot of attention because of their simple design, low-cost manufacturing and potential for miniaturization. This dissertation focuses on the study of an electrochemical CO2 gas sensor based on a lithium ion conducting electrolyte with an emphasis on sensing performance and mechanism. Chapter 1 introduces the general properties of carbon dioxide gas with relevant applications and the available real life sensors in the market and literature. In Chapter 2 attention will be focused on sensor fabrication, mechanism, sensing characteristic and test results in the laboratory as well as in an automotive engine. Chapter 3 deals with electrical measurements, especially EIS, to study reversible electrode behavior. Mixed ionic and electronic conduction in lithium phosphate electrolyte is discussed in chapter 4.
1 1.1 CO2 gas property and CO2 sensor application
CO2 gas is the major carbon containing species in the troposphere; its partial pressure is about 300~340 ppm [5] and it is the fourth dominant gas species ranked next to Argon in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide was discovered from the observation of a substance besides an ash after burning of charcoal and recorded by J. B. van Helmont at the beginning of 17th century [5].
The interest in CO2 gas has been growing because it plays an important role in affecting Earth’s climate and solar radiation balance as a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming, as evidenced from Figure 1.1 [6]. Even though there is little doubt of the
CO2 effect on global warming, it is important to monitor atmospheric CO2 concentration to understand its impact on climatic change.
1.1.1 Physical properties of CO2 gas
The triatomic molecule, CO2 has vibrational and rotational energy transitions that lead to absorption in the IR region like H2O, and O3 [7]. At a number of wavelengths the high
concentrations of water vapor and CO2 almost completely absorb the radiation emitted by Earth’s surface before it can be lost to space, thereby increasing the global average surface temperature by more than 30°C above the nominal temperature that would occur in the absence of such trace gases [7, 8].
Carbon dioxide is a natural species in the atmosphere and is also produced by activities such as the burning of fossil fuels for energy and the change of land-use. With the development of transportation and the machinery for industrial production, global energy use was increased by more than 10-fold from 770 million metric tons (1015) of coal equivalent (mmtce)* in 1900 to more than 9000 mmtce in 1984 [9]. The increase of fossil fuel release between 1860 and 1982 is shown in Figure 1.2 [10]. This tremendous
* To express emissions of different gases in a comparable way, atmospheric chemists often use a weighting factor called global warm- ing potential. The heat-trapping ability of one metric ton (1,000 kilograms) of CO2 is taken as the standard, and emissions may be expressed in terms of metric tons of CO2 equivalent (abbreviated MTCDE). More commonly, emissions are expressed in terms of metric tons of carbon equivalent (MTCE). Carbon comprises 12/44 of the mass of carbon dioxide; thus to convert from CO2 equiva- lent to C equivalent, one multiplies by 12/44. Throughout this database, we use units of MTCE or million MTCE (MMTCE).
2 increase in energy consumption is affecting the change of content that composes the Earth’s atmosphere gases controlling global climate.
As can be seen in Figure 1.3, data collected in the Mauna Loa climate observatory in Hawaii at an altitude of about 11,000 feet revealed a systematic increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide [10]. It is known that a doubling of the CO2 concentration would raise the
average temperature by 5 or 6°C. Also, there is a hypothesis that the depletion of the CO2 concentration may have brought glacial periods. It was reported that the atmospheric CO2 concentration in 1900 was approximately 300 parts per million by volume (ppm) and it continuously increased showing the annual average concentration of 316 ppm in 1958 and 345 ppm in 1985. It is very clear that increasing CO2 concentrations have the possibility for significant impacts on global climate, even if these studies have not yet provided adequate evidence for the fundamental relationships between the benefits and impacts of various energy systems on society's activities [5].
Therefore, there is a need to develop the tools for monitoring CO2. Environmental monitoring is crucial for identification of the most dangerous sources of air pollution and for assessment of the effectiveness of anti-pollution measures in different environments, such as urban areas, technology lines and the exit of industrial gases to the atmosphere.
Hydrothermal circulation at the mid-ocean ridge is one of the fundamental process controlling the transfer of energy and matter from the interior of the Earth to the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere [11]. Hydrothermal interactions influence the composition of the oceanic crust and the chemistry of the oceans [11]. In addition, hydrothermal vent fields support diverse and unique biological communities by means of microbial populations that link the transfer of the chemical energy of dissolved chemical
species to the production of organic carbon [11]. A CO2 sensor is much needed for this study of mid-ocean Ridge hydrothermal system.
1.1.2 Biochemical properties of CO2 gas Carbon dioxide is a product of the metabolic activity of animals and a vital substance to the life of plants [5]. Therefore, its effect on plant life has been studied. The main effects on vital processes for plants are [5]:
3 1. Stimulating plant growth
2. The indirect fertilization of plants
3. Respiration control
Carbon dioxide gas is used as a component of MAP (modified atmospheres packaging). Conventional vacuum packaging system causes a drip loss of meat and degrades its color quality. MAP packaging system prevents the drip loss problem effectively and improves the color stability of meat. In addition, decreased oxygen and
increased CO2 concentrations reduce the respiration rate of fruit. As a result, the
processed food packaging industry has an interest in CO2 concentration control [12-14].
1.1.3 Chemical properties of CO2 gas Chemically carbon dioxide is not an active species and reactions between dry carbon and other compounds and elements can, in general, be promoted only at high temperatures [5]. In aqueous solutions, however, the situation is quite different. Because
of the acid properties of CO2 solutions, many reactions take place spontaneously and some of them are of considerable geological importance [5].
CO2 corrosion is very important in the oil and natural gas industry. CO2 has been in equilibrium between the three phases, water, oil and gas for millions of years in
hydrocarbon deposits [15]. The concentrations of CO2 present in each of these phases are therefore interrelated [15]. A certain partial pressure of CO2 in an oil field effluent leads
to a proportional dissolution of CO2 in the produced water, causing a certain degree of + acidification [15]. The dissolution of CO2 in the water introduces two species, the H ion and the molecule H2CO3 [15]. Furthermore, the primary corrosion product of steel pipes
in oil and gas production becomes ferrous bicarbonate Fe(HCO3)2, which is a relatively soluble salt [15]. For the prediction of CO2 enhanced corrosion, the monitoring of CO2 partial pressure seems to be necessary.
The carbonation of concrete causes shrinkage of the surface to bring about cracking and warping with rapid drying. Carbon dioxide not only combines with the calcium hydroxide of hydrated cement, but it attacks and decomposes the major constituents into
4 calcium carbonate and hydrated silica, alumina and ferric oxide. On the other hand, the
carbonation by CO2 gas improves the strength and hardness of cement. Therefore, the
control of CO2 concentration is very important for manufacturing concrete [16-18].
1.2 CO2 gas sensors in the market and the literature The major methods used to detect combustion gases fall short of practical application needs for in-situ measurements in aggressive industrial environments involving high temperature and chemical contaminants [1]. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
(FTIR) is the most popular technique for CO2 detection in the market because of its
accuracy, sensitivity and selectivity. CO2 gas is a triatomic molecule showing distinct absorption bands due to rotational transition of the molecules, resulting in a characteristic FTIR spectrum [19]. The response time and detection limits of the method are very good, but size, costly maintenance, and low temperature range are the disadvantages [1].
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) uses chromatography to separate mixtures and mass spectrometry to identify components. This method has excellent detection limits, but is suitable for low temperature ranges (<573K), and is costly and
complicated to maintain [1]. The SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) CO2 gas sensor is very sensitive to small changes in surface mass but its humidity interference has delayed further development for commercialization [19].
There have been efforts to develop chemical sensors based on solid-state technology, either based on the surface characteristics or the bulk electrolyte properties of ceramics. However, such a sensor is not commercially available due to the lack of required stability. Only an expensive optical sensor (based on infra-red spectroscopy) has been used for gas analysis. It is important to develop solid-state chemical sensors that exhibit stable performance over an extensive period of time [1-4]. Ceramic-based sensors are promising because of their robust performance and their electric signals (electric current, capacitance or potential difference) directly connected to the chemical information (e.g., concentration, activity and partial pressure).
In the case of semiconducting gas sensors, charge transfer at the solid-gas interface by
adsorption of gases is utilized. BaTiO3 [21, 22], porous hydroxyapatite ceramics [23],
5 K2CO3-polyethylene glycol solution supported on Porous Ceramics [24, 25], La2O3-
loaded SnO2, CaO-loaded In2O3 [26, 27], sputtered indium tin oxide (ITO)
polycrystalline thin films [28] and Li2ZrO3 [29] have been examined for CO2 detection.
Capacitive-type sensors have the advantages of miniaturization, high reliability, and low cost. Gas adsorption brings on a change of depletion layer thickness. Namely, the electronic interactions between the adsorbed gas and the interface of two different phases
can change the charge density in the semiconductor. BaTiO3-PbO, CuO, NiO additive
oxide [31, 33], and thin film of aluminum phosphate (AlPO4) molecular sieves [34] were
studied for capacitive type CO2 sensors. However, the sensing mechanism and surface
characteristics are not yet fully understood or theoretically explained for CO2 detection. On the other hand, solid electrolyte sensors monitor the change in chemical potential of the sensing electrode. Thus, applying a so-called ‘auxiliary phase’ in equilibrium with the target gas on the sensing electrode enables the detection of a gas with excellent sensitivity and selectivity.
In conclusion, electrochemical type principles are the most suitable for CO2 sensor application because carbon dioxide (CO2) is not a redox active but an acid-based active gas, which mainly reacts with the ions of solids rather than the electrons [35]. Therefore,
this study will exploit the electrochemical CO2 gas sensor considering practical application and sensing mechanism.
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9
Figure 1.1: Man-made contributions to Greenhouse effect [6]. (CFC: chlorofluorocarbons)
10
Figure 1.2: Fossil fuel-based CO2 emissions: 1860-1982 (Marland and Rotty 1983) [10].
Figure 1.3: Global atmospheric CO2 (solid line) and projection of simulated high growth rate of fossil fuel production since 1974 (dashed line) [10].
11 CHAPTER 2
ELECTROCHEMICAL CO2 GAS SENSOR
2.1 Solid state electrochemical CO2 gas sensors: Literature Review
Electrochemical CO2 gas sensors have been developed because of their excellent selectivity, sensitivity and stability. One of the main advantages of an electrochemical sensor is that it monitors electrical potential change instead of current or resistance. Potential is an intensive property that is not changed by geometry or mass of sensor materials. Resistance and current are not intensive properties and hence they require more accurate control for sensor fabrication when the sensor utilizes such signals.
This section discusses the basics of electrochemical sensors. First of all, the word “electrode” should be clearly defined because there is some confusion regarding this expression in the solid state electrochemical sensor literature. “Electrode” is defined as an electronic conductor that can provide or consume electrons and/or holes [1]. Following the conventional definition, only metals or semiconductors can be considered as an electrode. But it is more convenient to consider an electrode as a structure that can provide a site for charge transfer in an electrochemical cell. For example, in the YSZ- based oxygen sensor, oxygen is electrochemically equilibrated through the Pt metal electrode with oxygen vacancies in YSZ. Therefore, the gas phase is often considered as an electrode.
Three different class solid state electrochemical sensors are generally considered in the literature. One is an equilibrium potential type sensor that will be discussed in this study. The second is a mixed potential type sensor which is controlled by the different kinetics
of two electrochemical reactions on the same electrode. An NOx sensor featuring this mechanism has been developed in CISM [2, 3]. In both equilibrium and mixed potential
12 sensors, an open circuit potential is monitored. The third type known as the amperometric type sensor is operated in the polarized condition where the electrochemical reaction is controlled by mass-transfer. More selective sensing is possible with this sensor design.
Equilibrium potential solid state gas sensors have been generally classified into three broad groups [4-6]. Type I sensors have an electrolyte containing mobile ions of the chemical species in the gas phase that it is monitoring. The most successful commercial product, YSZ oxygen sensor, is an example of type I. Type II sensors do not have mobile ions of the chemical species to be sensed, but an ion related to the target gas can diffuse in the solid electrolyte to allow equilibration with the atmosphere. Therefore, type I and type II sensors have the same design with gas electrodes combined with metal and an electrolyte where oxidized or reduced ions can be electrochemically equilibrated through the cell. In the third type of electrochemical sensor, auxiliary phases are added to the electrodes to enhance the selectivity and stability. Type III sensors make the electrode concept even more confusing. With respect to the design of a solid state sensor, the auxiliary phase looks as part of the electrode. But it cannot be an electrode because auxiliary phase materials are not generally good electronic conductors. In spite of this confusion, type III design offers more feasibility in terms of designing various sensors with different auxiliary materials and electrolytes.
Table 2.1 presents summary of the solid state electrochemical CO2 gas sensors reported in the literature. Substantial work has been done in this field with sodium ion conductors. Sodium β-alumina and NASICON (Na Super Ionic Conductor) are generally accepted as good solid state ionic conductors, however, their poor resistance to humidity led to the development of other electrolytes. Lithium ion conductor looks very promising due to
fast ionic conduction and less reactivity with water. The author has developed a CO2 sensor with lithium phosphorous oxynitride electrolyte. Its fabrication method and sensing behavior was discussed in author’s M.S. thesis [32]. In this work, the author addresses the fundamental basis of such sensors.
13 Reference Authors/ Electrolyte materials Sensing Electrode Electrode Year Gauthier et K2CO3 Pt, CO2, O2 Pt, CO2, O2 al. (1977) Type II K-conductor [7, 8] Au, CO2, O2 Cote et al. K2CO3 Au, CO2, O2 CaCO3+CaO (1984) [9] Maier et al. Au, Na ZrO +ZrO , Na-β-alumina Pt, Na CO , CO , O 2 3 2 (1986, 1993) 2 3 2 2 CO , O 2 2 [10, 11]
Pt, Na2CO3/BaCO3, Yao et al. NASICON Pt, O2 (Air reference) CO2, O2 (1990) [12]
Pt, Li2CO3/MCO3, CO2, Miura et al. NASICON Pt, O2 (Air reference) O2, (M=Ca, Sr, Ba) (1993) [13] Schettler et NASICON Pt, Na2CO3, CO2, O2 NaCoO2, NaxNiO2 al. (1993) Na-conductor [14] Au, Na Ti O +TiO 2 6 13 2 Maier et al. NASICON or or Au, Na CO , CO , O (1994, 1996) Na-β-alumina 2 3 2 2 Na Ti O +Na Ti O , 2 3 7 2 6 13 [15, 16] CO2, O2 Type NASICON Pt, Na2CO3/BaCO3, Lang et al. III Pt, O2 (Air reference) (sputter) CO2, O2 (1996) [17] NASICON Lecours et al (sputter and laser Pt, Na CO , CO , O Pt, O (Air reference) 2 3 2 2 2 (1996) [18] ablation) Imanaka et Au, Li CO , CO , O , LiTi (PO ) +0.2Li PO Au, Li CO , CO , O 2 3 2 2 al. (1990) 2 4 3 3 4 2 3 2 2 CaCO +CaO 3 [19] Au, CO , O Narita et al. Li CO +Li PO +Al O Au, CO , O 2 2 2 3 3 4 2 3 2 2 (Air reference) (1995) [20] Li-conductor Pt, LiCoO2-Co3O4, Zhang et al. Li2CO3+Li3PO4+Al2O3 Au, CO2, O2 CO2, O2 (1997) [21] Au, LiMn O Salam et al. Li CO +MgO Au, CO , O 2 4 2 3 2 2 (sealed) (1999) [22] Au, LiCoO2-Co3O4, Lee et al Li2.88PO3.73N0.14 Au, Li2CO3, CO2, O2 CO2, O2 (2001) [23] Maruyama et NASICON and YSZ Au, Na2CO3, CO2, O2 Au, CO2, O2 al. (1987) [24] NASICON and YSZ Chu et al. Au, Na CO , CO , O Pt, CO , O (Thick and Thin film) 2 3 2 2 2 2 (1992) [25] Miura et al. MSZ or LaF3 Au, Li2CO3, CO2, O2 Pt, CO2, O2 (1993) [26, Hybrid sensor 27] LiTi (PO ) +0.2Li PO Imanaka et ( alkali conductor 2 4 3 3 4 and Bi O -Y O , CeO - Au, Li CO , CO , O Pt, CO , O al. (1995) +anion conductor) 2 3 2 3 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 Gd2O3, ZrO2-Ln2O3 [28] Li2CO3+Li3PO4+Al2O3 Zhang et al. Au, CO2, O2 Pt, CO2, O2 and La0.9Sr0.1MnO3 (1997) [29] Tamura et al. Sc Zr (PO ) and YSZ Au, Li CO , CO , O Pt, CO , O 1/3 2 4 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 (2001) [30] Imanaka et Sc (WO ) or 2 4 3 Au, Li CO , CO , O Pt, CO , O al. (2001) Al (WO ) and YSZ 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 4 3 [31]
Table 2.1: Solid state electrochemical CO2 gas sensors reported in the literature. 14 2.1.1 Type I sensor Although type I oxygen sensors have been very successful solid state electrochemical devices, this type of sensor cannot be extended to other gases due to the restriction that the target gas species should be the same ion as the mobile species in the ionic conductor.
Therefore, CO2 sensor with type I structure does not exist.
The oxygen sensor has a very simple structure with YSZ electrolyte and two metal electrodes separating two different oxygen partial pressures. When the chemical potential, µRef , is fixed by a reference gas, typically air, µUnknown can be determined by O2 O2 measuring the EMF. The excellent catalytic and noble properties of Pt made it the most popular electrode for YSZ based sensors.
Ref Unknown O222 , Pt | ZrO | Pt, O (2.1) In the literature, the EMF measured by the above cell is understood based on the following electrochemical reaction at the three phase boundary where Pt electrode, gas and YSZ meet [33, 34]. 1 O+2e-O 2- (2.2) 2 2 (gas ) ( Adsorbed on Pt ) 2- ii O+VO(Adsorbed on Pt) O () YSZ O () YSZ (2.3) The porous Pt electrode enhances the oxygen reduction and maximizes the equilibrium
2- •• reaction of O and VO in YSZ.
So, the half cell reaction is 1 OV2e-O++ii (2.4) 2 2 (gas ) O( YSZ ) ( Pt ) O ( YSZ )
•• where the VO concentration is determined by Y2O3 doping into ZrO2, so the chemical
•• × potentials of VO(YSZ )and OO (YSZ ) are constant in YSZ ( ∆µ=•• 0 , ∆µ = 0 ). Figure VO(YSZ ) OO (YSZ ) 2.1 is a schematic illustration of the above electrochemical reaction. If electrochemical reaction (2.2) and chemical reaction (2.3) are very fast, the electrode potential is determined by the oxygen chemical potential in the gas phase only. The EMF follows the Nernst equation.
15 RT PUnknown E = lnO2 . (2.5) OC 4F Pref O2 where EOC represents EMF.
•• The key features of this successful sensor are the role of VO(YSZ ) as a buffer in the electrolyte and the fast electrochemical reaction at the three phase boundary to achieve equilibrium potential. Also, it requires a dense YSZ to prevent gas diffusion through it to maintain two different chemical potentials of oxygen.
2.1.2 Type II sensor
The first type II sensor was invented by Gauthier et al. using K2SO4 electrolyte for the detection of SO2 gas [7, 8]. It was assumed that electrochemical reaction with K2SO4 is similar to that of fused salt K2SO4 which was studied by Salzano et al. [35]. In their experiment, the following cell was constructed and tested.
Ref Ref Unknown Unknown SO22 , O , Pt | K 24 SO | Pt, SO 2 , O 2 (2.6) + where K2SO4 acts as a K conductor. Figure 2.2 (a) shows a schematic of Gauthier’s solid state SO2 sensor design and (b) shows the fused salt sensor that was proposed by Salzano et al. Both Gauthier and Salzano et al. assumed Pt electrode is an oxygen reversible electrode. In other words, the electrode potential of type II SO2 sensor is decided by the following reactions [7]: 1 (Electrochemical reaction) O+2e-O 2- (2.7) 2 2 (gas ) ( Pt ) ( Adsorbed on Pt ) 1 (Chemical reaction) SO + O SO (2.8) 2 (gas )2 2 ( gas ) 3 ( gas ) (Chemical reaction) SO + O2- SO 2- (2.9) 3 (gas ) ( Adsorbed on Pt) 4 ( K24 SO ) (Overall electrochemical reaction) SO + O +2e- SO2- (2.10) 2 (gas ) 2 ( gas ) ( Pt ) 4 ( K24 SO ) As can be seen, K+ ion doesn’t play any role in the electrochemical reaction, but it has to move to ensure charge balance. The fused salt model has a cation permeable membrane and it can keep the electrochemical equilibrium of K+ ion between the inside and outside solutions. On the other hand, solid state design does not have the membrane. Therefore, + + K ion concentration must be fixed in K2SO4 solid state electrolyte. If K ion
16 concentration in the bulk electrolyte is high enough and it is not varied depending on electrochemical reaction, gas concentration changes of SO2 and O2 determine directly the equilibrium potential of the following half cell reaction at the three phase boundary of electrolyte, Pt and gas.
i 2K+SO+O+2e-KSOi 2 ()2gas () gas () Pt 2 4 (2.11) where interstitial potassium ions are assumed to be the dominant charge carrier for this model. When O2 concentrations on both sides are same in Figure 2.2 (a), under the equilibrium condition, the EMF of the concentration cell is given by
PPUnknown() Unknown P Unknown RRTTSO22 O SO 2 EOC =ln= ln (2.12) 2FPPRef ( Ref ) 2F P Ref SO22 O SO 2
The requirements of type II sensors are exactly same as those for type I sensors.
However, it is not easy to get a dense K2SO4 pellet, so a practical design of type II sensor is almost impossible. Some electrolytes containing metal sulfates such as Ag2SO4-K2SO4
[36] and Na2SO4-Li2SO4-Y2(SO4)3-SiO2 [37] have been studied to provide fairly good
SO2 sensing properties, however, these still have the disadvantage of limited choice of the electrolyte.
The electrochemical cell for CO2 gas with solid reference electrode was fabricated with
K2CO3 by Cote et al. [9]. A solid reference electrode, an equimolar mixture of calcium carbonate and calcium oxide, provides equilibrium P at a certain temperature CO2 according to the following reaction.
CaCO32()⇔ CaO+ CO gas (2.13)
This design simply used the above mixture reaction for the reference CO2 gas, but still it is practically complicated because the CO2 concentration, which was equilibrated with
CaCO3 and CaO, should not be affected by the outside environment. Moreover, K2CO3 electrolyte does not have high ionic conductivity, or mechanical, chemical and thermal stability [6].
Carbonate based multi-phase (heterogeneous) solid electrolyte systems (Na2CO3:
ABO3 where, A=Li/K/Ba and B=Nb/Ti) were found to be useful materials for a CO2 gas 17 sensor [38]. When ferroelectric LiNbO3 is dispersed in a Na2CO3 host matrix, two significant interfaces participating in the conduction are homo-junction (Na2CO3/
Na2CO3) and hetero-junction (Na2CO3/LiNbO3) [38, 39]. An enhanced conductivity in such a system is caused by the formation of a highly disordered diffused space charge layer along the interface facilitating the ionic conduction [38]. This Na2CO3 with dispersed LiNbO3 is a possible candidate for a type II sensor.
The type II CO2 sensor with lithium carbonate as an electrolyte was suggested based on the premise that lithium carbonate is purely a lithium ion conductor and displays fairly good conductivity [21, 40, 41]. But the type II sensor structure is not practical for commercialization because it requires sealed reference gas electrode isolated from the sensing atmosphere.
2.1.3 Type III sensor
The type III sensor with NASICON and Na2CO3 sensing auxiliary phase was first proposed by Yao et al. [12]. Maier et al. proposed ideal designs for the type III CO2 gas sensors [15, 16]. They introduced TiO2+Na2Ti6O13 or Na2Ti6O3+Na2Ti3O7 as a reference electrode for the sodium β-alumina-based CO2 sensor. The advantages of this design are two-fold. First, this sensor does not need a reference gas because reference electrodes are not reactive with CO2 gas. Secondly, this sensor can avoid oxygen dependence due to its unique overall cell reaction. However, their design was based on pressed pellet electrode, which required mechanical support to make sure that the two electrodes are well bonded to the electrolyte. This design is still far from practical sensor device. Therefore, it encouraged author’s current study of Li2TiO3+TiO2 mixture reference electrode in the form of a thick film.
2.1.3.1 Thermodynamic analysis for solid state type III sensor
Figure 2.3 shows a schematic type III sensor structure with Li2CO3 sensing electrode,
Li2TiO3+TiO2 reference electrode and Li3PO4 lithium ion selective solid electrolyte. It also represents the 6 different interfaces where thermodynamic equilibria exist. Solid electrolyte is used as a membrane which can separate two different chemical potentials of lithium ions in the auxiliary phases. First, this type III sensor will be simply interpreted
18 by using ideal fused salt model. Therefore, auxiliary phases have to be considered as solutions that have dissolved mobile ions and gas species. One of the primary + assumptions is that the concentration and mobility of CO2, O2, and Li in the electrolyte and auxiliary phases are so high that small concentration changes do not change its chemical potentials in these phases. Dominant charge carriers are assumed to be interstitial cations in the both auxiliary phases because Li2CO3 is known as a Frenkel type intrinsic defect ionic conductor [42] and cation interstitial is common defects in many lithium ion compounds.
As shown in Figure 2.4, if the auxiliary phase is a good ionic conductor, design (a) can achieve equilibrium fast. Oxygen can be easily reduced on top of the gold electrode and lithium ions are equilibrated with O2 and CO2 transporting through the auxiliary phase. An auxiliary phase with poor ionic conduction probably does not work in such a design. Such auxiliary phases need porous design (b) with gold electrode located at the interface between the electrolyte and the auxiliary phase. This design helps to minimize the distance of lithium ion diffusion in the auxiliary phase. But porous auxiliary phase is necessary for oxygen and carbon dioxide to reach the gold electrode. Based on author’s study, Li2CO3 resembles former while Li2TiO3 the later.
In this analysis, design (a) is accepted for both Li2CO3 and Li2TiO3 auxiliary phases and they are considered as Li2+δ CO 3+1 2δ and Li2+δ TiO 3+1 2δ , slightly Li2O-rich or- deficient non-stoichiometric solid solutions.
• Electron equilibrium at Cu-Au interface 1 At this interface, electron equilibrium is established and their electrical potential difference results from the difference of chemical potential of electron. This junction potential is cancelled out by the other Cu-Au interface 6, so it does not appear in the overall potential difference.
µ= e, Cu I µ e, Au I (2.14)
µe, Cu I− FΦ Cu I= µ e, Au I− FΦ Au I (2.15)
19 1 ΦΦ−−=(µ µ ) (2.16) Au I Cu IF e, Au I e, Cu I
• Oxygen reduction and oxidation equilibrium at the interface 2 Oxygen reduction and oxidation equilibrium is established at the three phase boundary
(Au, Li2+δ CO 3+1 2δ , and Gas).
Li CO =( 2+δ )Li+ + CO2- (2.17) 2+δ 3+1 2δδ Li2+δδ CO 3+1 2 3+1 2 (2+δ ) CO2- = CO + O + (2+δ )e- (2.18) 3+1 2δ 24 2 (2+δ ) Li CO =( 2+δ )Li+ +CO + O + (2+δ )e- (2.19) 2+δδ 3+1 2 Li2+δδ CO 3+1 2 24 2
(2+ δ ) µ=+δµ+µ+µ++δµLi CO(2 ) + CO O (2 ) e (2.20) 2+δδ 3+1 2Li , Li2+δδ CO 3+1 2 24 2