Synthesis, sintering and characterization of ceria-based solid electrolytes codoped with samaria and gadolinium using the Pechini method

Studies on fuel cell components have attracted interest due to the growing demand for sustainable energy sources. In the present study, synthesis of nanometric powders of the Ce0.8Sm0.2−xGdxO1.9 system (x = 0; 0.05; 0.1) system was carried out using the polymeric precursor method (Pechini), followed by calcination at 600 °C for 1 h and pressureless sintering. Characterizations were carried out with differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The grain and grain boundary contributions to the ionic conductivity of the ceramic disks obtained were assessed by complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS). Microstructural characterization was conducted by SEM. Electrical characterization showed greater grain conductivity for samples that were codoped with increasing levels of gadolinium, likely due to less deformation in the crystalline lattice with the addition of an element that contains an ionic radius closer to that of the host matrix of ceria (Ce < Gd < Sm). Grain boundary conductivity was lower than grain conductivity with a gradual rise in the same codoping element. This results from changes in microstructural characteristics due to increased codoping, including a reduction in relative density.