Hi,

I am measuring the ionic conductivity of a mixed ionic and electronic conductor using YSZ block on both sides of the sample bar. To make the sample, I pressed YSZ on both sides of my MIEC sample and sintered the whole assembly at 1050 oC for 24 hour. I am unable to sinter it at a higher temperature as my sample decomposes. The ionic conductivity I am measuring is nearly 50 % of the total conductivity (Electronic + ionic) of the MIEC sample, and the activation energy of the ionic and total conductivity is nearly same. I am worried as the activation energy for both the processes is similar (~ 0.75 eV). Most of the paper, I read, the authors used high temperature sintered YSZ pellet (above 1400 oC) to block electronic part of the conductivity. Is there any chance that the low temperature sintered YSZ block giving significant electronic leakage conductivity in my measurement and hence observing higher ionic conductivity than the actual? Any comments and suggestions will be highly appreciated

Thanks in advance.