Synthesis and Characterization of Zn-doped LiCoO_2 Material Prepared via Glycinenitrate Combustion Method for Proton Conducting Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Application

LiCo_2-based materials are well-known, widely used as cathode materials in lithium ion batteries and currently are also used in low temperature proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells (H+-SOFCs) application. Dopants such as Zn are introduced in LiCo_2-based materials to improve the properties and performance of the materials for H+-SOF Capplication. In this study, Zn-doped LiCo_2, LiCo_006 Zn_0.4O_2 (LCZO) powder was synthesized via glycine-nitrate combustion method followed by various characterizations. The precursor LCZO powder dried at 100°C was subjected to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The phase formation and morphology of the calcined LCZO powder at 600°C were examined by an X- ray diffractometer (XRD) and a tabletop scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The TGA result revealed that the thermal decomposition of the intermediate compounds in the precursor LCZO powder was completed at 800°C through three main phases of weight losses. A pure phase of LCZO was not completely produced after the calcination at 600°C due to the presence of secondary phases as confirmed from the XRD analysis. The identified secondary phases that present are confirmed as ZnCo_2O_4 and ZnO as documented in JCPDS file no. 00-001-1149 and JCPDS file no. 01-079-0205 consecutively. The SEM images showed that the impure calcined LCZO powder possessed homogeneous and fine particles.