A facile combustion synthesis of Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 powders by in situ assembly of polymer

A novel fuel, methylcellulose (MC) was used in the combustion synthesis of Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC) powders for the first time. The formation of SDC powders with small crystal size could be attributed to the special performance of MC, which made mixed nitrate entrapped within the cage formed by the cross-linking of MC chains. The precursor solution decomposed violently at about 150 °C confirmed by TG–DTA test. The influence of fuel contents on the powder's properties was investigated by XRD measurements. The experimental cell parameters calculation showed that stoichiometric SDC powders could be obtained only when stoichiometric or fuel-rich MC was used. High sintering activity was favorable for compacted bodies achieving almost near theoretical density. By this combustion synthesis method, SDC powders with high conductivity, which was 0.00765 S cm−1 at 600 °C, was obtained and suitable for the solid oxide fuel cell's applications.