Preparation and Properties of Ce0.8Sm0.16Y0.03Gd0.01O1.9-BaIn0.3Ti0.7O2.85 Composite Electrolyte

Samarium, gadolinium, and yttrium co-doped ceria (Ce0.8Sm0.16Y0.03Gd0.01O1.9, CSYG) and BaIn0.3Ti0.7O2.85 (BIT07) powders were prepared by sol-gel and solid-state reaction methods, respectively. CSYG-BIT07 composite materials were obtained by mechanically mixing the two powders in different ratios and calcining at 1300 degrees C for 5 h. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as electrical properties and thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) measurements. A series of CSYG-BIT07 composite materials with relative densities higher than 95% were fabricated by sintering at 1300 degrees C for 5 h. The performance of the CSYG-BIT07 composite electrolyte was found to be related to the content of BIT07. The CSYG-15% BIT07 composite exhibited high oxide ion conductivity (sigma(800 degrees C) = 0.0126 S center dot cm(-1) at 800 degrees C), moderate thermal expansion (TEC = 9.13 x 10(-6)/K between room temperature and 800 degrees C), and low electrical activation energy (E-a = 0.89 eV). These preliminary results indicate that the CSYG-BIT07 material is a promising electrolyte for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs).