Thermal and Electrical properties of Ce0.8−xGdxSm0.2O2−δ materials for SOFC applications

• Published in: Ionics Vol. 21; no. 7; pp. 1997 - 2004
• Main Authors: Venkatesh, V., Prashanth Kumar, V., Kistaiah, P., Vishnuvardhan Reddy, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 25.07.2015
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Electrochemistry; Energy Storage; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Paper; Renewable and Green Energy; Scanning electron microscopy; Electrolyte; Impedance; Sol–gel; Solid oxide fuel cell; Thermal expansion, X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 0947-7047; 1862-0760
• DOI: 10.1007/s11581-015-1383-5

Gadolinium and samarium co-doped ceria electrolyte materials Ce 0.8− x Gd x Sm 0.2 O 2− δ ( x  = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06) were prepared by using sol–gel method. The prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The phase identification and the cell parameters were determined by X-ray powder diffraction. Thermal expansion of prepared materials was measured using dilatometric method in the temperature range 30–1000 °C. The thermal expansion increases linearly increasing temperature. The electrical conductivity was measured using impedance spectroscopy. Among the prepared compositions, Ce 0.74 Gd 0.06 Sm 0.2 O 2− δ showed higher electrical conductivity and lower activation energy at 450 °C. Which makes suitable as an electrolyte and it may be a promising candidate for as an electrolyte in IT-SOFCs.