Cost-effective method of Co-doped rare-earth-based ceria (Y-CGO) nanocomposite as electrolyte for LT-SOFCs using C-TAB as surfactant

ABSTRACT

Y-CGO [Yttria and Gadolinia co-doped ceria, prepared composition is Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_2-δ–Ce_0.8Y_0.2O_2-δ] nanocomposite was prepared by wet-chemical synthesis for application in low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFC) as an electrolyte by using basic materials (Rare-earth-based), sodium hydroxide (NaOH) [as precipitator material] and Cetyl Trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) [as surfactant]. DTA/TGA of the precursor compound indicated the completion of reaction at about 300°C. The formation of cubic structure observed as well crystalline and no secondary phase was revealed by the XRD. Ce-O bond is assigned in the sample revealed by FTIR. SEM analysis unveiled that the sample comprises spherical shaped and homogeneous with a grain size of about 100 nm. EDAX reveals the elemental composition of the sample. Impedance measurements have been made in voltage-1.3 volts and the frequency range – 42 Hz to 5 kHz. Better conductivity value is attained that may make this system appropriate for application as an electrolyte for LT-SOFCs.

KEYWORDS:

• Nanocomposite
• Co-doped ceria
• C-TAB
• LT-SOFC

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Karthik Kannan

Karthik Kannan is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Jain-Deemed to be University, Bangalore, India. She has published more than 10 research articles in reputed journals. She has total citations: 60, h-index: 04, i10-index: 03. She has participated in more than 30 international and national conferences. Her field of research includes solid oxide fuel cells, nanocomposite materials for energy, environmental and biological applications.

D. Radhika

D. Radhika is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Jain-Deemed to be University, Bangalore, India. She has published more than 10 research articles in reputed journals. She has total citations: 60, h-index: 04, i10-index: 03. She has participated in more than 30 international and national conferences. Her field of research includes solid oxide fuel cells, nanocomposite materials for energy, environmental and biological applications.

A.S. Nesaraj

A.S. Nesaraj is currently working as a professor and admissions officer at the Department of Chemistry, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, India. He is working in the field of nanoparticles for application in electrochemical power sources since 1996. He has published more than 50 research articles in reputed journals. He has total citations: 466, h- index: 12, i-10 index: 13.

Mohammed Wasee Ahmed

Mohammed Wasee Ahmed has completed M. Tech (Structural Engineering) from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India. His field of research includes the electrochemical study of concrete and rebars, corrosion and casting of concrete studies.

R. Namitha

R. Namitha is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Jain-Deemed to be University, Bangalore, India. She has published more than 10 research articles in reputed journals. She has total citations: 48, h-index: 04, i10-index: 03. She has participated in more than 15 international and national conferences. Her field of research includes carbon nanotubes, nanomaterials for energy, environmental applications.