The effect of Pr co-dopant on the performance of solid oxide fuel cells with Sm-doped ceria electrolyte

Samaria-doped ceria Ce0.9Sm0.1O1.95 (SDC) and samaria and praseodymium co-doped ceria Ce0.9Sm0.08Pr0.02O1.95 (SPDC) powders were synthesized by glycine nitrate process. SDC and SPDC electrolytes were made using the corresponding powders to press pellets and sinter them in air at 1400 °C. SEM and open porosity measurement showed the electrolytes were not dense and SPDC was more porous than SDC. Raman spectra indicated the oxygen vacancy concentration of SPDC was higher than SDC. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with SPDC and SDC electrolytes were made and tested. The SOFC with SPDC electrolyte had higher power density but lower open circuit voltage. Impedance measurement was undertaken for the SOFCs at open circuit and the results showed that both the Ohmic and polarization resistances for SPDC electrolyte are smaller than for SDC. It is explained that co-doping Pr in Sm-doped ceria may increase the oxygen ionic conductivity by changing the grain boundary conditions so that more oxygen vacancies may exist and move faster. The electrochemical catalytic activity of Pr may play an important role in decreasing the polarization of electrolyte-electrode interface of the SOFCs.