Generalized Poisson--Nernst--Planck-based physical model of O$_2$ I LSM I YSZ electrode

Abstract

The paper presents a generalized Poisson-Nernst-Planck model of an yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolyte developed from first principles of nonequilibrium thermodynamics which allows for spatial resolution of the space charge layer. It takes into account limitations in oxide ion concentrations due to the limited availability of oxygen vacancies. The electrolyte model is coupled with a reaction kinetic model describing the triple phase boundary with electron conducting lanthanum strontium manganite and gaseous phase oxygen. By comparing the outcome of numerical simulations based on different formulations of the kinetic equations with results of EIS and CV measurements we attempt to discern the existence of separate surface lattice sites for oxygen adatoms and O2- from the assumption of shared ones. Furthermore, we discern mass-action kinetics models from exponential kinetics models.