Gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) is a very promising material for solid oxide fuel cells operating at intermediate temperatures. Tailoring the microstructure of GDC allows to enhance its performance either in electrode or electrolyte applications. In fact GDC is attractive as electrolyte for IT-SOFCs and its mixed conductivity can be favourably exploited in anodic applications. To reduce anodic polarization it is necessary to promote the charge transfer and ionic absorption/desorption, thus maximizing the triple phase boundary (TPB). Nanocrystalline porous systems represent the best solution for TPB tailoring to reduce power losses. Several chemical routes have been developed for the synthesis of ceria-based oxide powders; most of them, however, start from expensive reagents or require high calcination temperatures. We have developed a novel chemical route for GDC nanopowders. This "direct condensation" method allows to obtain crystalline, single phase GDC at room temperature using low cost reagents (metal salts) in the presence of a polyfunctional amine. Acid-base reaction between the amine and coordination water causes precipitation of hydroxo-species. Further base induced deprotonation leads to condensation of the oxide at room temperature. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was used to monitor all the synthetic steps. The calcination treatment was performed to eliminate volatile residuals. The powders prepared in this way were formed into pellets 13 mm in diameter using cold isostatic pressing. Those pellets were sintered at selected temperatures in the range 1000-1600 degrees C. The density, pore and grain size distribution were characterized using Hg porosimeter, FE-SEM observation and image analysis. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis was performed on the pellets in the temperature range between 150-800 degrees C, at different values of oxygen partial pressure. Electrodes were made of platinum paste deposited on both sides of the pellets. EIS results were correlated with the measured microstructural parameters to evaluate the grain size effect on the electrical properties.

Rainer, A., Esposito, V., Trakanprapai, C., Trombetta, M., Licoccia, S., Traversa, E. (2004). Grain size effect on the conductivity of nanocrystalline gadolinia-doped ceria. In Meeting Abstracts (pp.1683). ECS.

Grain size effect on the conductivity of nanocrystalline gadolinia-doped ceria

LICOCCIA, SILVIA;TRAVERSA, ENRICO
2004-01-01

Abstract

Gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) is a very promising material for solid oxide fuel cells operating at intermediate temperatures. Tailoring the microstructure of GDC allows to enhance its performance either in electrode or electrolyte applications. In fact GDC is attractive as electrolyte for IT-SOFCs and its mixed conductivity can be favourably exploited in anodic applications. To reduce anodic polarization it is necessary to promote the charge transfer and ionic absorption/desorption, thus maximizing the triple phase boundary (TPB). Nanocrystalline porous systems represent the best solution for TPB tailoring to reduce power losses. Several chemical routes have been developed for the synthesis of ceria-based oxide powders; most of them, however, start from expensive reagents or require high calcination temperatures. We have developed a novel chemical route for GDC nanopowders. This "direct condensation" method allows to obtain crystalline, single phase GDC at room temperature using low cost reagents (metal salts) in the presence of a polyfunctional amine. Acid-base reaction between the amine and coordination water causes precipitation of hydroxo-species. Further base induced deprotonation leads to condensation of the oxide at room temperature. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was used to monitor all the synthetic steps. The calcination treatment was performed to eliminate volatile residuals. The powders prepared in this way were formed into pellets 13 mm in diameter using cold isostatic pressing. Those pellets were sintered at selected temperatures in the range 1000-1600 degrees C. The density, pore and grain size distribution were characterized using Hg porosimeter, FE-SEM observation and image analysis. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis was performed on the pellets in the temperature range between 150-800 degrees C, at different values of oxygen partial pressure. Electrodes were made of platinum paste deposited on both sides of the pellets. EIS results were correlated with the measured microstructural parameters to evaluate the grain size effect on the electrical properties.
206th Meeting of The Electrochemical Society
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
2004
206
THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
Rilevanza internazionale
contributo
2004
Settore CHIM/07 - FONDAMENTI CHIMICI DELLE TECNOLOGIE
Settore ING-IND/22 - SCIENZA E TECNOLOGIA DEI MATERIALI
English
Intervento a convegno
Rainer, A., Esposito, V., Trakanprapai, C., Trombetta, M., Licoccia, S., Traversa, E. (2004). Grain size effect on the conductivity of nanocrystalline gadolinia-doped ceria. In Meeting Abstracts (pp.1683). ECS.
Rainer, A; Esposito, V; Trakanprapai, C; Trombetta, M; Licoccia, S; Traversa, E
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/12587
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