Novel azeotropic distillation process for synthesizing nanoscale powders of yttria doped ceria electrolyte

Nanoscale yttria doped ceria powder was successfully synthesized by azeotro pic distillation process, which effectively dehydrated hydrous ceria and co mpletely prevented the formation of hard agglomerates. After being calcined at 500 degreesC for 2 h, the average powder size was less than 10 nm. Powd er X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Rama n spectroscopy were performed to characterize the powder properties. The el ectrical conductivity of the sintered pellets from this powder was also mea sured by a.c, impedance spectroscopy, with the values of 0.025 and 0.062 S cm(-1) at 700 degreesC and 800 degreesC, respectively. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sc ience B.V. All rights reserved.