Structural Characterization of Multi-doped Barium Cerate as Perovskite for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract

Perovskite type material BaCe 0.65 Zr 0.10 Y 0.05 Pr 0.20 O 3-δ was synthesized by the conventional solid-state reaction method with a sintering temperature of 1350°C for 8 hours in an air atmosphere. The structural, morphological, and thermal characterizations have been performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA). From Rietveld refinement, we confirmed that our prepared sample was an orthorhombic crystal structure in the Pbnm space group. From TG/DTA, we get a gradual weight gain from 150 o C to 780 o C and a sharp weight loss after the temperature of 780 o C. The SEM image of the pellet surface of the sample shows that the sample sintered at 1350 o C was dense and suitable to use as an electrolyte in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).