The Electroelectronic ceramics group at IPEN perform R&D in advanced ceramic materials to be used in devices like sensors for gaseous species and solid electrolyte fuel cells. The main research areas are 1) synthesis, processing and electrical characterization of ceramic materials, 2) study of the dependence of the electrical properties on the microstructural aspects of ceramic materials, 3) design, development, setup and testing of electrochemical sensors for chemical species. The main materials being studied are ionic conductors (ZrO2 and ThO2-based, and others), protonic conductors (BaCeO3), tin oxide based varistors, high-T C ceramic superconductors (Y-Ba-Cu-O and Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O ceramic systems) and ceramic matrix composites (electrical insulators in an ionic conductor matrix and ionic conductor in a ceramic superconductor matrix). The experimental facilities are an impedance analyzer, an X-ray diffractometer, a simultaneous thermal analyzer, high temperature furnaces for sintering, and a chemical laboratory. The research work is sponsored by grants from FAPESP, a state foundation and PRONEX.
solid electrolytes; zirconia; thoria; impedance spectroscopy
