Properties of a ceria-based (C6S2G2) solid oxide electrolyte sintered with Al2O3 additive

Ceria-based Al2O3 composite electrolytes were prepared using (CeO2)0.6(SmO1.5)0.2(GdO1.5)0.2 (C6S2G2) and Al2O3 powders, employing sol-gel and low temperature combustion synthesis methods (SGLCS). The influence of Al2O3 content on the sintering behavior and electrical properties was studied. The results showed that electrical properties could be improved by adding 10wt% Al2O3. The sintered density was up to 5.61g/cm3. Most measurements of open circuit voltage (OCV) ranged between 0.8 and 1.2V; an OCV value of 1.15V was obtained at 370oC. The performance of intermediate- temperature solid oxide fuel cells (ITSOFCs) with a properly Al2O3 doped electrolyte was better than when a pure ceria-based one was used. The highest power density was 200mWcm-2.