Amperometric electrochemical cells and sensors

Abstract

Amperometric ceramic electrochemical cells comprise, in one embodiment, an electrolyte layer, a sensing electrode layer comprising a ceramic phase and a metallic phase, and a counter electrode layer, wherein the cell is operable in an oxidizing atmosphere and under an applied bias to exhibit enhanced reduction of oxygen molecules at the sensing electrode in the presence of one or more target gases such as nitrogen oxides (NO) or NHand a resulting increase in oxygen ion flux through the cell. In another embodiment, amperometric ceramic electrochemical cells comprise an electrolyte layer comprising a continuous network of a first material which is ionically conducting at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C.; a counter electrode layer comprising a continuous network of a second material which is electrically conductive at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C.; and a sensing electrode layer comprising a continuous network of a ceramic phase and a metallic phase which is electrically conductive at an operating temperature of about 200 to 550° C., which sensing electrode is operable to exhibit increased charge transfer in the presence of one or more target gas species. These electrochemical cells and additional electrochemical cell embodiments are suitable for use in gas sensors and methods of sensing or detecting one or more target gases.