Structural and morphological analysis of barium cerate electrolyte for SOFC application

Gadolinium doped barium cerate (BCG) electrolytes Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_1.9 + xBaO (x = 0.1 and 0.4) were prepared by wet chemical method for the use in solid oxide fuel cells operating at intermediate temperatures (600 °C to 800 °C). The as-prepared powder sample was calcined at 900 °C. The calcination temperature was identified using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The orthorhombic perovskite phase formation was confirmed by XRD analysis. From TEM results, the particle size was found to be about 32 nm which is in a good agreement with XRD results. BCG nanoparticles were formed at lower sintering temperature due to using microwave furnace. By reducing the sintering temperature of solid electrolyte through microwave technique, the percentage of barium loss was successfully reduced and the prepared electrolyte can be a good choice for solid oxide fuel cells operating at intermediate temperatures.