Three-phase-boundary dynamics at Pt/YSZ microelectrodes

Strong electrode activation, inductive hysteresis and non-linearity are well-known phenomena on model Pt-YSZ cathodes, and recently also a regular current fluctuation pattern have been reported. The oxygen electrode reaction with YSZ as electrolyte is studied at Pt microelectrodes prepared by electrochemical etching of platinum wire.

The result is a well-defined contact area of ~25 μm in diameter. Due to the small size and a favourable ratio between the three-phase-boundary (TPB) length and the contact area, microelectrodes should have an increased sensitivity to local events at the TPB compared to larger point electrodes normally applied.

The electrode processes are studied by potential sweep, step and impedance techniques. Investigation of the YSZ and Pt surfaces afterwards reveals the growth of dendrite-like Pt structures from the TPB. The formation of these structures can explain the observed regular current fluctuation pattern and contributes to the explanation of the activation phenomena of the model Pt-YSZ and SOFC cathodes.