(Bi2O3)0.73(Y2O3)0.27 fine powders prepared by wet chemical precipitation method were cold isostatically pressed to form solid electrolyte tubes, and sintered at 900 oC for 10 h in the air. Their pumping oxygen characteristics in non-dehydrated Ar gas were investigated, where a ZrO2 (Y2O3 stabilized) oxygen sensor was used to measure the oxygen partial pressure Po2. The results showed that the Po2 value reached magnitudes of 1×10-20-1×10-10 Pa at the applied pumping oxygen voltage of 0.5 V, 1×10-37-1×10-27 Pa at 1.0 V and 1×10-53-1×10-47 Pa at 2.0 V within the temperature range from 550 to 650 oC. Moreover, no cracks were found in the tested solid electrolyte tubes. Thus, the Bi2O3-Y2O3 system might be used in solid electrolyte oxygen pump for purifying gases.
