Improved ionic conductivity of Ca-doped and Ca-La co-doped ceria electrolytes for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 1005; p. 176085
• Main Authors: Manjanna, Jayappa, Jakati, Mubeen Hasanasab, Momin, Naeemakhtar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15-11-2024
• Subjects: Activation energy; Ca and La- doped CeO2; Electrolyte; Impedance; Ionic conductivity; Solid oxide fuel cell; Ca and La- doped CeO2; Electrolyte; Impedance; Solid oxide fuel cell; Activation energy; Ionic conductivity
• ISSN: 0925-8388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.176085

Improved ionic conductivity of electrolytes is necessary for solid oxide fuel cells, meant for the development of efficient and clean energy devices. This study is focused on the enhancement of ionic conductivity in Ca-doped and Ca-La co-doped cerium oxide (ceria) electrolytes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The co-doped ceria electrolytes, LCDC20 (Ce0.8La0.1Ca0.1O2−δ), exhibited enhanced ionic conductivity of 1.06 ×10−1 S cm−1 at 1073 K, when compared to conventional yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes, and has lower activation energy of 1.02 eV. Also, these co-doped electrolytes showed decreased sintering temperatures, which amounts to cost-effective electrolyte materials for IT-SOFCs.
•Ca-La co-doped ceria were synthesized by auto-combustion method, as electrolytes for SOFC.•Enhanced ionic conductivity was observed when compared to conventional YSZ electrolytes.•Single-phase nanocrystalline solid solution with cubic fluorite structure confirmed by XRD and Raman spectra.•Ionic conductivity of LCDC20 (Ce0.8La0.1Ca0.1O2−δ) was 1.06 ×10−1 S cm−1 at 1073 K and Ea = 1.02 eV.