Gadolinium doped ceria nanoparticles as electrolyte for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Fully dense CeO2 ceramics doped with 10 mol % gadolinium (Gd0.1Ce0.9 O1.95, GDC) have been prepared as electrolyte for low and intermediate temperature of solid oxide fuel cells. In this study, Cerium oxide and Gadolinium oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized by a new method using [(Ce2(pydc)4(H2O)4].pyda.H]2.2H2O (1), where [pydc][pyda]= LH2, pydc = 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylate, pyda =2,6-pyridine diamumium and Gd(NO3).6H2O complexes as precursor, under ultrasonic irradiation. The characterization of the Ce(III) complex was performed using elemental analysis, FT-IR and Uv-Vis spectroscopes, X-ray crystallography, SEM, EDX and TG/DTA analysis. Then the complexes were treated under ultrasonic irradiation. Thermal decomposition of as prepared compound in ambient atmosphere leads to form GDC. Characterization of GDC carried out by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and Uv-Vis spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TG/DTA) as well as SEM and EDAX (energy dispersive x-ray analysis). The average particle sizes have been observed was about 37 nm with spherical shape.

Keywords:

Low temperature solid oxide fuel cells , Gadolinium doped ceria , ultrasonic assisted