A review of the electrochemical properties of stabilised zirconia

Stabilised zirconia is, in its cubic crystalline phase, an extensively studied and applied oxide ion conductor in electrochemical applications, such as solid oxide cells, oxygen separation membranes, gas sensors and oxide ion batteries. Over the years, research has led to a broad understanding of ion and electron conduction, microscopic grain boundary effects, surface oxygen exchange reactions, and macroscopic electrochemical device performance. However, the connection between different length scales and processes is often absent, despite the numerous applications of stabilised zirconia. This review aims at presenting a concise overview of the various electrochemical properties of stabilised zirconia, consisting of conductivity, cation mobility, phase stability, impurity behaviour, interface stability and electrochemical performance. A particular emphasis is placed on bridging gaps between different observations and length-scales, while discussing them in the context of electrochemical applications.