  The current work studies the effect of sintering conditions on the
densification behavior, microstructure, and electrochemical performance of 6
mol% Sc2O3, 1 mol% CeO2 co-doped ZrO2 (6Sc1CeZr) for solid-state electrolyte
applications. The specimen's physical properties and electrochemical
performance sintered at different temperatures ranging from 1000 {\deg}C to
1700 {\deg}C for 6 hours are examined through diffraction, microscopy, and
Raman and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The activation energy and
pre-exponential conductivity factor of the oxygen ions are calculated using a
linear fit to the Arrhenius-type conductivity equation. We observe that samples
sintered at 1500 {\deg}C for 6h show a lower c/a axial ratio for the tetragonal
phase, highest relative density, and highest total conductivity among all
samples investigated. The higher total conductivity is explained by the
formation of a higher symmetric tetragonal phase and the simultaneous existence
of the cubic and tetragonal phases (with higher symmetry), supported by the
presence of the cerium ions partially replaced zirconium ions' sites.
