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Enhanced electrical conductivity of ceria electrolyte doped with samarium (Ce 0.8− x Zr x Sm 0.2 O 2−δ ) for solid oxide fuel cells

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Abstract

To affluence the ionic conductivity enhancement in Cerium Oxide (CeO2) for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs), we report synthesis of Zr substituted, Samarium doped Ceria (SDC) via chemical procedure. Substitution of Zr has assisted the stabilizing of majority Ceria as Ce4+ and improved the ionic conductivity considerably. The cubic fluorite structure of CeO2 was supported by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Particle’s morphology is studied using SEM, TEM which revealed size of CeO2 as 20 nm. Valence state of cations and concentration of Ce4+ are proven through X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS). This result confirms 50% upsurge in tetravalent Cerium concentration (from 56 to 84%) which influences the ionic conductivity. The x = 0.075 composition revelations greater ionic conductivity of 0.528 × 10–1(S cm−1) at 750 °C in comparison with other ‘x’ configurations. The substitution of Zr4+ in SDC stabilizes the cubic fluorite structure and promotes oxygen vacancies enhancing ionic conducting nature. The elevated ionic conductivity value and stability of Ce4+ the present work proposes that the prepared materials are promising ionic conductors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Rathinam Technical Campus, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

    Bradha Madhavan

  2. Department of ECE, Rathinam Technical Campus, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

    Nagaraj Balakrishnan

  3. Center for Biomedical and Robotics Technology, Mahidol University, Salaya, Thailand

    Branesh Pillai

  4. Department of Physics, KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

    Ananth Steephen

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  1. Bradha Madhavan
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  2. Nagaraj Balakrishnan
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Madhavan, B., Balakrishnan, N., Pillai, B. et al. Enhanced electrical conductivity of ceria electrolyte doped with samarium (Ce 0.8− x Zr x Sm 0.2 O 2−δ ) for solid oxide fuel cells . J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 32, 23066–23080 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-021-06789-3

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