Synthesis and Characterization of Samarium-Doped CeO2 Powders as a Solid Electrolyte by Using Pechini Method

Abstract

In the trivalent rare-earth doped ceria electrolyte for SOFC applications, the highest conductivities are observed for Ce1-xSmxO2-x/2 and C(e)1(-x)Gd(x)O(2-x/2). In this study, fully dense samarium doped ceria ceramics (SDC), SmxCe1-xO2-x/2 (x = 0.1) have been synthesized via Pechini method. The phase identification, microstructural properties and bond structure of SDC samples were studied by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform- Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The XRD results indicate that a singlephase fluorite structure has formed at relatively low calcination temperature of 500 degrees C. This method yields high purity ultrafine powders which can form dense electrolyte at relatively low sintering temperatures. The SEM results show that a complete solid solution between ceria and samarium was obtained at the sintering temperature of 1400 degrees C.