Electronic conductivity and oxidation reduction in zirconium based ceramics

Semiconducting ceramics at high temperatures and especially oxides contain several types of charge carriers. These include weakly bound electrons which under certain conditions can produce conduction by moving from donor to acceptor sites. Carrier concentration can be evaluated by classical electrochemical methods. The methods of measurement are briefly outlined, and some results are presented, which confirm the validity of the model used and its applicability in the research on materials for refractory electrodes. (author)