Characterization of Sm-Doped Ceria Ceramics Synthesized by Two Different Methods

Ceria-based materials have attracted much attention as electrolyte materials for low and intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In this study, we examined the effect of synthesis method on the microstructure and the ionic conductivity of ceria-based electrolytes. Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9 (SDC) electrolytes for SOFCs were prepared using the Pechini and cellulose templating (CT) methods. Microstructures of the calcined and sintered samples were characterized by XRD and SEM techniques. The XRD results indicate that a single-phase fluorite structure formed at the relatively low calcination temperature of 500 °C. The relative densities of the sintered pellets were higher than 90%, which was proved by the SEM images. Calcined powders were characterized by FTIR technique. The electrical properties of the samarium-doped ceria electrolytes were analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The total ionic conductivities are 3.02 × 10⁻² and 3.42 × 10⁻² S/cm at 750 °C for the SDC electrolytes prepared by the Pechini method and the CT method, respectively.