Electrochemical study of the composite electrolyte based on samaria-doped ceria and containing yttria as a second phase

The purpose of this study is to develop new oxide ionic conductors based on nanocomposite materials for an advanced fuel cell (NANOCOFC) approach. The novel two phase nanocomposite oxide ionic conductors, Ce0.8Sm0.2O2 − δ (SDC)-Y2O3 were synthesized by a co-precipitation method. The structure and morphology of the prepared electrolyte were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). XRD results showed a two phase composite consisting of yttrium oxide and samaria doped ceria and SEM results exhibited a nanostructure form of the sample. The yttrium oxide was used on the SDC as a second phase. The interface between two constituent phases and the ionic conductivities were studied with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). An electrochemical study showed high oxide ion mobility and conductivity of the Y2O3-SDC two phase nanocomposite electrolytes at a low temperature (300–600 °C). Maximum conductivity (about 1.0 S cm−1) was obtained for the optimized Y2O3-SDC composite electrolyte at 600 °C. It is found that the nanocomposite electrolytes show higher conductivities with the increased concentration of yttrium oxides but decreases after reaching a certain level. A high fuel cell performance, 0.75 W cm−2, was achieved at 580 °C.