High-precision impedance spectroscopy: a strategy demonstrated on PZT

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been recognized as a very powerful tool for studying charge and mass transport and transfer in a wide variety of electrically or electrochemically active systems. Sophisticated modeling programs make it possible to extract parameters from the impedance data, thus contributing to a better understanding of the system or material properties. For an accurate analysis, a correct modeling function is needed; this is often in the form of an equivalent circuit. It is not always possible to define the modeling function from visual inspection of the impedance dispersion. Small contributions to the overall dispersion can be masked, and hence overlooked. In this publication, a strategy is presented for high-precision impedance data analysis. A Kramers-Kronig test is used for the essential data validation. An iterative process of partial analysis and subtraction assists in deconvoluting the impedance spectrum, yielding both a viable model function and a set of necessary starting values for the full complex nonlinear least squares (CNLS) modeling. The advantage and possibilities of this strategy are demonstrated with an analysis of the ionic and electronic conductivity of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) as functions of temperature and oxygen partial pressure.