Patent ID: 6179992
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A galvanic cell comprisinga) an oxygen-ion-conducting solid electrolyte,b) a gas-sensitive material which contains at least one salt having the structural formula Me.sub.m (XO.sub.n).sub.p, where Me is a metal, X stands for C, S or N, and the symbols m, n and p characterize the respective stoichiometric relations,c) a cationically conductive material, interposed between the oxygen-ion-conducting solid electrolyte and the gas-sensitive material, which allows conduction both by cations of the metal Me and by electrons, and which seals off a potential-determining area of the solid electrolyte surface from the surroundings, making the potential-determining area of the solid electrolyte surface impervious to gases therein, andd) two electronically conductive potential taps at surface areas of the oxygen-ion-conducting solid electrolytewherein the cationically conductive and electronically conductive material comprises a composite material which contains a mixture of an electronically conductive phase and a cationically conductive phase and the cationically conductive and electronically conductive material comprises an electronically short-circuited cationic conductor.