Applications of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) in catalysis

Abstract

This article describes recent advances in the use of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ), an oxygen ion conductor, for catalytic applications. This ceramic material combines different functionalities such as good thermal stability, selective bulk oxygen mobility and high surface oxygen vacancy concentration. These properties have been first exploited, utilizing YSZ as dense membranes, in the field of solid oxide fuel cells and electrochemical promotion of catalysis. More recently, YSZ, as nanometric powders, has also been considered as a promising support for metallic nanoparticles or as a catalyst itself. This paper summarizes the main applications of YSZ in the aforementioned fields, explains the underlying phenomena and finally provides perspectives for future applications of YSZ.