A new alternative representation of impedance data using the derivative of the tangent of the phase angle: Application to the YSZ system and composites

The aim of this work is to propose a new alternative representation of impedance data using the derivative of the tangent of the phase angle, which allows enhanced discrimination between processes with relaxation frequencies that are very close. The new representation allows discrimination between overlapped processes within a factor of 2 in their relaxation frequencies for process with similar strength. Equations for the simplified behaviour of the impedance data have been proposed to obtain all the parameters of the processes involved in the impedance spectrum. This new alternative representation has been applied to bulk and grain boundary responses of YSZ with very satisfactory results. It has also been applied to the qualitative study of impedance data of a CuO composite showing the usefulness of this representation to discriminate different electrode processes. This approach provides an ab initio method of identify the contributing components to an electrochemical impedance spectrum with quite remarkable resolution. It is suggested that if this method is applied to provide starting parameters for non-linear least squares fitting using constant phase elements, then problems due to correlation of parameters and identification of components can be minimised. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.