Preparation of Nickel Oxide-Samarium-Doped Ceria Carbonate Composite Anode Powders by Using High-Energy Ball Milling for Low-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract

The characteristics of the starting powder in powder preparation method are important for enhancement of cell performance. In this study, the composite anode powders of NiO–samarium-doped ceria carbonates (SDCC) were prepared by using different NiO loadings (50–70 wt.%) via high-energy ball milling. The composite anode powders were ball-milled in ethanol at a milling speed of 550 rpm. The obtained NiO–SDCC composite anode powders were characterized by XRD, FTIR, FESEM, and EDS. Results indicate that the composite anode powders demonstrated good chemical compatibility between NiO and SDCC, given that no new phases were detected in the XRD analysis. FTIR spectra confirmed that the composite anode powders contain carbonates in amorphous state after high-energy ball milling. FESEM investigation revealed well-distributed fine particles and significant reduction of particle size at nanoscale compared with the powder prepared using NiO particles as the starting material. EDS mapping verified the homogeneity of the composite powder with good elemental distribution. Thus, high-energy ball milling is an effective method to prepare NiO–SDCC composite anode powders within a relatively short processing time.

A review on the preparation of anode materials and anode films for solid oxide fuel cell applications

“…A NiO‐SDCC composite anode prepared using this method also showed good chemical compatibility between NiO and SDCC. In addition, the elemental distribution was satisfactory and presented a significant particle size reduction 29 . This study recommended ball milling in preparing homogeneous NiO‐SDCC anode powder in a short time.…”

“…In addition, the elemental distribution was satisfactory and presented a significant particle size reduction. 29 This study recommended ball milling in preparing homogeneous NiO-SDCC anode powder in a short time. The NiO-scandia-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ) anode composite powders mixed using a planetary ball mill at a rotational speed of 250 rpm for 3 h displayed a cubic phase structure.…”

“…The synthesis method affects the microstructure, porosity, particle size distribution, particle shape, and TPB of the anode. 27 Some of the approaches that are used to synthesize anode materials including ball milling, [28][29][30][31][32] solid-state reaction (SSR) method, [33][34][35] template-based synthesis method, [36][37][38] and wet chemical methods (WCMs), such as sol-gel, 15,[39][40][41][42][43][44][45] co-precipitation, [46][47][48][49] hydrothermal and solvothermal methods, 48,50,51 and combustion method. [52][53][54][55][56][57][58] Various deposition methods were also discussed and categorized in several groups including physical deposition, [59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66] chemical deposition, [67][68][69] and colloidal deposition.…”

“…Some of the approaches that are used to synthesize anode materials including ball milling, 28‐32 solid‐state reaction (SSR) method, 33‐35 template‐based synthesis method, 36‐38 and wet chemical methods (WCMs), such as sol‐gel, 15,39‐45 co‐precipitation, 46‐49 hydrothermal and solvothermal methods, 48,50,51 and combustion method 52‐58 . Various deposition methods were also discussed and categorized in several groups including physical deposition, 59‐66 chemical deposition, 67‐69 and colloidal deposition 32,70‐76 .…”

Characteristics of Ag Element on LSCF-SDCC-Ag Composite Cathode for LTSOFC Potential Applications

“…The presence of carbonate phases on LSCF-SDCC-Ag is very crucial to preserve carbonate elements in the composite powder, hence underwent calcinations at 750 °C. From the observation, it is notable that the carbonate from SDCC functioned in an excellent manner as co-ionic conductive, to enhance the electrochemical performance of LSCF-SDCC-Ag composite cathode [17,18]. Element distribution has been recognized as an essential key with a substantial contribution towards the electrochemical performance of composite cathode.…”