Electrical conductivity of YSZ-SDC composite solid electrolyte synthesized via glycine-nitrate method

Abstract Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is a common solid electrolyte for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) because of its high electrical conductivity and high ionic transference number in both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. Samarium doped ceria (SDC) has also been considered as an alternative electrolyte material to YSZ for intermediate temperature SOFC because of its high conductivity at relatively low temperatures. Due to improved ionic conductivity of YSZ at high temperature (~ 800 °C) and good conductivity of SDC in the intermediate temperature range (600–800 °C), the electrical properties of YSZ-SDC composites were investigated. Composites of YSZ and SDC with weight ratio 9.5:0.5, 9:1 and 8.5:1.5 were synthesized via glycine-nitrate route. XRD pattern of the systems revealed the formation of composite phases. Biphasic electrolyte microstructures were observed, in which SDC grains are dispersed in YSZ matrix. Relative density of the compositions was found to be more than 92% to the theoretical density. It was observed that the interface provides a channel for ionic transport, leading to a notable ionic conductivity. With increase in SDC weight ratio the electrical conductivity was found to increase. For weight ratio 8.5:1.5 the electrical conductivity was found to be greater than that of YSZ in the temperature range 400–700 °C. Further, for weight ratio more than 8.5:1.5, conductivity was found to decreases due to the formation of a few other insulating impurity phases. The electrode polarisation was also found to reduce significantly with SDC in the composite electrolyte system. Thus, such composite system may be useful for improving the ionic conductivity of the composite electrolytes.