Synthesis of nano-crystalline Gd0.1Ce0.9O2−x for IT-SOFC by aerosol flame deposition

Nano-sized gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) can be used as an IT-SOFC electrolyte, oxygen gas sensor or abrasives. In this study, nano-sized GDC powders with bimodal particle distribution of about 10 nm and 200 nm particle size were successfully synthesized by aerosol flame deposition (AFD). The resulting effects of sintering temperature on microstructure and electrical properties were investigated in the sintering temperature range 1100–1400 °C. The pellet had a completely dense microstructure after sintering at 1400 °C for 10 h. Raman measurement showed an increase of oxygen vacancy due to shift between reduced and oxidized states (Ce3+ ↔ Ce4+) with increasing sintering temperature. The formation of oxygen vacancies noticeably increased the ionic conductivity above 1300 °C.