Nanostructured ceria based thin films (≤1μm) As cathode/electrolyte interfaces

• Published in: Journal of solid state chemistry Vol. 197; pp. 113 - 119
• Main Authors: Hierso, J., Boy, P., Vallé, K., Vulliet, J., Blein, F., Laberty-Robert, Ch, Sanchez, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.01.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cathodes; Cerium oxide; CERIUM OXIDES; Chemical Sciences; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Diffusion in solids; DOPED MATERIALS; Electrolytes; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; FERRITE; FERRITES; Fuel cells; GADOLINIUM; Interface; INTERFACES; LANTHANUM; Liquid phase epitaxy; deposition from liquid phases (melts, solutions, and surface layers on liquids); Material chemistry; MATERIALS SCIENCE; Mesoporous thin films; Methods of deposition of films and coatings; film growth and epitaxy; NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY; NANOSTRUCTURES; NICKEL OXIDES; Physics; POLYSTYRENE; Porous materials; granular materials; SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; SOFC device; SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS; Specific materials; STRONTIUM; THIN FILMS; TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; Transport properties of condensed matter (nonelectronic); X-RAY DIFFRACTION; X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY; Yttria stabilized zirconia; YTTRIUM OXIDES; ZIRCONIUM OXIDES; ASR; YSZ; AC; PS-b-PEO; FESEM; LSM; TPB; LSCF; CGO; ORR; SDC; THF; EDS; GI-SAXS; Mesoporous thin films; SOFC device; LSC; TEM; Interface; DC; SOFC; Interfacial layer; Interlayers; Polarization; Solid oxide fuel cells; Porous materials; Nanostructures; Cerium oxide; Thin films; Nanoparticles; Template method; Cobalt Iron Oxides Mixed; Gadolinium additions; Iron Strontium Oxides Mixed; Dip coating; Diffusion; Sol-gel process; Electrical properties; Template reaction; Stabilized zirconia; Mesoporosity; Interfaces; Gadolinium oxides; Electrolytes; Microstructure; Anodes; Nanostructured materials; Nickel oxide; Cathodes
• ISSN: 0022-4596; 1095-726X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2012.08.021

Gadolinium doped cerium oxide (CGO: Ce0,9Gd0,1O2−δ) films were used as an oxygen anion diffusion layer at the cathode/electrolyte interface of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs), between LSCF (lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite) and YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia). Thin (∼100nm) and thick (∼700nm) mesoporous CGO layers were synthesized through a sol–gel process including organic template coupled with the dip-coating method. Structural and microstructural characterizations were performed, highlighting a well-bonded crystalline CGO nanoparticles network which delineates a 3-D inter-connected mesoporous network. Their electrical behaviors were investigated by impedance spectroscopy analysis of YSZ/mesoporous-CGO/LSCF half-cell. Anode-supported SOFCs, operating at 800°C, with either dense or mesoporous CGO dip-coated interlayers were also fabricated [NiO-YSZ anode/YSZ/CGO/LSCF cathode]. The impact of the mesoporous CGO interlayers on SOFCs performances was investigated by galvanostatic analysis and compared to the behavior of a dense CGO interlayer. The polarization curves revealed an enhancement in the electrical performance of the cell, which is assigned to a decrease of the polarization resistance at the cathode/electrolyte interface. The integrity and connectivity of the CGO nanoparticles bonded network facilitates O2− transport across the interface. Thin and thick CGO films have been prepared through a sol–gel process and their potential application as SOFC cathode/electrolyte interlayer in SOFC has been investigated. [Display omitted] ► Mesoporous ceria based thin films exhibit interesting performances for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. ► Mesoporous films were synthesized through the sol–gel process combined with the dip-coating. ► Integrity and connectivity of the nanoparticles facilitates O2− transport across the interface.