Citrate-complexation synthesized Ce0.85Gd0.15O2−δ (GDC15) as solid electrolyte for intermediate temperature SOFC

• Ce0.85Gd0.15O2-δ (GDC15) was synthesized successfully by citrate-complexation method.
• Peaks at 463, 550 and 600 cm−1 in Raman spectroscopy confirms the formation of GDC15.
• FE-SEM shows well-defined grains separated from grain boundary and good densification.
• GDC15 exhibits ionic conductivity similar to as that of Ce0.90Gd0.10O2−δ and Ce0.80Gd0.20O2−δ.

A typical Ce0.85Gd0.15O2−δ (GDC15) composition of CeO2−Gd2O3 system is synthesized by modified sol−gel technique known as citrate-complexation. TG–DTA, XRD, FT-IR, Raman, FE-SEM/EDX and ac-impedance analysis are carried out for structural and electrical characterization. XRD pattern confirmed the well crystalline cubic fluorite structure of GDC15 after calcining at 873 K. Raman spectral bands at 463, 550 and 600 cm−1 are also in agreement with these structural features. FE-SEM image shows well-defined grains separated from grain boundary and good densification. Ac-impedance studies reveal that GDC15 has oxide ionic conductivity similar to that reported for Ce0.9Gd0.1O2−δ (GDC10) and Ce0.8Gd0.2O2−δ (GDC20). Ionic and electronic transference numbers at 673 K are found to be 0.95 and 0.05, respectively. This indicates the possible application of GDC15 as a potential electrolyte for IT-SOFCs.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide