Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 synthesis for solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte by ultrasound assisted co-precipitation method

Abstract

In this study, the synthesis of Ce(0.8)Sm(0.2)O(1.9) (SDC) solid electrolyte by the ultrasound assisted co-precipitation method was accomplished to explore the effects of ultrasound power, ultrasound pulse ratio and probe type upon the ionic conductivity of SDC as well as the lattice parameter, the microstructure and the density. Fine powders of uniform crystallite sizes (average 11.70±0.62nm) were obtained, needing lower sintering temperature. The SDC powders were successfully sintered to a relative density of over 95% at 1200°C (5°Cmin(-1)) for 6h. The micrograph of SDC pellets showed non-agglomerated and well-developed grains with average size of about 200nm. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the lattice parameter increased with increasing acoustic intensity and reached a maximum for the 14.94Wcm(-2). Further, a linear relationship was detected between the lattice parameter and the ionic conductivity, inspiring a dopant like effect of US on the electrolyte properties. The highest ionic conductivity as σ(800°C)=3.07×10(-2)Scm(-1) with an activation energy E(a)=0.871kJmol(-1) was obtained with pulsed ultrasound for an acoustic intensity of 14.94Wcm(-2), using 19mm probe and 8:2 pulse ratio.

A Brief Description of High Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell’s Operation, Materials, Design, Fabrication Technologies and Performance

“…Metal, ceramics or their composites are widely used for the construction of these components. Different criteria are required for each material in order to operate in multiple capacities [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][14][15][16][17][18][19][34][35][36]. Different materials used in different SOFC components along with their requirements are discussed below.…”

“…They can be highly efficient and carry many diversified advantages associated with mobile and stationary power generation including both large scale centralized power production and distributed generation in individual homes and businesses, etc. [2,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

“…There are two fuel cell systems that operate at intermediate temperatures: Ceria based SOFC and Molten Carbonate which operate at 650˝C and below 600˝C respectively. Solid carbon is used as a fuel in DCFCs (Direct Carbon Fuel Cells) having a high output of CO 2 content whereas SOFC uses gaseous fuels (CO, H 2 , CH 4 ), and as they exit they produce stream with a very high CO 2 substance. One of the most remarkable advantages of SOFCs and DCFCs is their ability to co-generate high level heat greater than 600˝C if involved in end-use applications [8,10,11,18,19].…”

Physical chemical properties of Ce08Sm02IryCo1-yO3-ô (y = 0.03-0.04) and preliminary testing as cathode material for low-temperature SOFC

“…Data were collected between 20 and 100°(22) at room temperature with a 2°step size and a minute acquisition per step. The instrument has a linear Vantec D detector with an active area of 50 by 16 mm, covering 13° (22). The tube was fixed while the sample was rotated at 2°min -1 and the detector at 22°min -1 with a measurement geometry of 0.028°2 2 at~30°22.…”

“…The XRD pattern displayed characteristic peaks for SDC. [22][23][24] The SDC phases were observed at 22 values of 28.44, 47.33, 56.19, 88.22 and 95.20 indexed to (111), (220), (311),…”