Peculiarity of NO decomposition by electrochemical cell with a mixed oxideworking electrode

The decomposition activity was measured on nonsymmetric electrochemical cel l oxide (cathode) yttria-stabilized zircoma (YSZ) (anode) by applying dc vo ltage lower then 3.5 V in the temperature range from 550 to 700 degreesC. I t was found that covering the Pt cathode by a mixture of oxygen ionic condu ctor (YSZ) and electronic conductor (NiO) increased the NO decomposition ev en in the presence of excess oxygen. The microstructure of YSZ-NiO mixed ox ide electrodes was investigated depending on the mixed oxide electrode sint ering temperature. A strong correlation between the microstructure of the m ixed oxide electrode and the conversion rate of NO decomposition was observ ed and investigated. A mechanism for the NO decomposition is proposed and d iscussed. (C) 2001 The Electrochemical Society.