The SO
x gas sensor utilizing beta-alumina as a solid electrolyte has a rigid theoretical background and produces a reliable emf corresponding to SO
2 gas partial pressure,
PSO2. However, its emf response to a change in
PSO2 is not so fast in comparison with that of other electrolytes. In the present study, an attempt was made to improve the chemical properties of the surfaces of Na
+-β″-alumina disc by sputtering Ce on the both sides through a stainless steel net and by oxidizing in air.
Before the experiments, the reaction between CeO
2 and Na
+-β″-alumina was examined as follows; CeO
2 and Na
+-β″-alumina powder mixtures and a Na
+-β″-alumina plate with the Ce thin film sputtered were annealed at 1073 K in air for various periods, respectively, and then subjected to powder and thin film X-ray diffraction analyses with a diffractometer. Diffraction peaks due to the surface structure of the CeO
2 thin film whose lattice constant was twice as large as CeO
2 were detected; however, any compound was not detected.
The SO
2 gas sensor utilizing the β″-alumina disk covered by CeO
2 was tested at 873 and 1023 K. The island-like coverage of CeO
2 did not reduce a hysteresis of the emf’s at 873 K with a change in
PSO2. At 1023 K, the measured emf’s agreed with the theoretical values. The response of the sensor at 1023 K became much faster by the coverage, when
PSO2 in the measured gas was decreased in the range of low
PSO2; the SO
2 gas released from Na
2SO
4 diffused smoothly. The decomposition of Na
2SO
4 may become easier when it had grown vertically along the island-like CeO
2. It was concluded that CeO
2 does not have a harmful effect on the lifetime of the sensor, and improve the properties of SO
x gas sensor at a higher temperature.
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