LAUSR

Abstract Yttria Stabilized Zirconia ceramics with well-controlled porosity, pore size and shape were prepared using well-calibrated poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) micro-beads (MB) as a pore-forming agent. The microstructure was observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Impedance spectroscopy was used to evaluate the effect of pore morphology (pore size, pore size distribution, pore shape and interconnectivity) on the electrical properties of YSZ ceramics. Archie's law based analyzes to express the dependence of conductivity on porosity have shown that Archie's law is independent of pore size for a pore diameter of between 1 and 7 μm. The Bruggeman model could be used to predict the bulk conductivity if the porosity was less than 25%, thus showing that the impedance response included the effect of sinuousness and constriction induced by pores. Therefore, the tortuosity factor calculated from the bulk conductivity was higher than that predicted by the Bruggeman model for porosities greater than 25% and spherical pores wide (>20 μm). Another point relates to the comparison between tortuosity factors obtained for pore samples fabricated with pore-forming PMMA or by sub-sintering.