Sps. Badwal et al., Investigation of the stability of ceria-gadolinia electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cell environments, SOL ST ION, 121(1-4), 1999, pp. 253-262
Doped ceria-based materials are potential electrolytes for use in lower ope
rating temperature (500-700 degrees C) solid oxide fuel cells because of th
eir high ionic conductivity. In this study, impedance behaviour and microst
ructure of the (Ce0.8Gd0.2)O-1.9 exposed to mild fuel environments (H-2-N-2
mixtures) have been investigated. The exposure of specimens to H-2-N-2 mix
tures at 1000 degrees C resulted in a substantial expansion of the lattice
as a consequence of the reduction of Ce4+ to Ce3+, which in turn led to the
development of microcracks and loss of continuity at the grain boundary re
gion and increase in both the grain boundary (major effect) and the lattice
(minor effect) resistivity. The behaviour for the grain boundary resistivi
ty after the 800 degrees C exposure was somewhat similar although expansion
of the lattice at 800 degrees C (or lower temperatures) was considerably l
ess conspicuous. After exposure to H-2-N-2 atmosphere at lower temperatures
(650 and 500 degrees C), although no significant increase in the grain bou
ndary resistivity for exposures up to 1000 h was observed, the shape of the
grain boundary are was clearly affected. The large increase in the grain b
oundary resistivity in reduced specimens has been attributed to the observe
d microcracking, loss of continuity between grains and possibly the formati
on of new phase regions with extremely poor oxygen-ion conductivity along g
rain boundaries during the reduction. The disruption to the microstructure
is not recovered on subsequent oxidation in air. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science
B.V. All rights reserved.