Oxygen isotope exchange with a dense La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-delta electrode on a Ce0.9Ca0.1O1.9 electrolyte

Oxygen isotope exchange experiments were carried out with a dense La0.6Sr0. 4CoO3-delta film (0.5 mu m thick) deposited on a Ce0.9Ca0.1O1.9 substrate b y a laser ablation method. The isotope exchange profile was measured from t he surface into the electrolyte by a secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) . The oxygen diffusion through the La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-delta film was fast enoug h not to make any observable gradient in oxygen isotope concentration insid e the film. The surface isotope exchange rate, k*, was calculated from the diffusion profile into the electrolyte layer. The electrochemical impedance , sigma(E), was compared with k*. The oxygen partial pressure dependence of those two parameters were quite similar. The absolute value of k* was larg er than expected from sigma(E) by a factor of 2 or higher. (C) 1999 Elsevie r Science B.V. All rights reserved.