Electrochemical measurement of oxygen activity in Iead glass by means of a stabilized ZrO2 sensor Part 1. Qualitative aspect

Abstract

A zirconia-based electrochemical cell has been developed to measure the oxygen potential in glass with respect to the following parameters: time, temperature, composition of the glass and the nature of the redox system. After melting the raw materials, the glass is very oxidized and the electromotive force grows up to a maximum before diminishing to a level of equilibrium with the surrounding atmosphere. Two opposing kinetically different systems exist: the appearance of oxygen through shifting of the redox equilibrium to the reduced state, and the disappearance of oxygen so as to come back to equilibrium with the surrounding atmosphere. The amplitude of the electromotive force variation with the temperature is based on the constitution of the glass as well as of the redox system.