Abstract:
Energy conversion devices are widely being used to convert chemical into electrical. Fuel cell is
the most prominent candidate among all the energy conversion devices. The operating temperature
of conventional fuel cell is very high because of high electrolyte resistance. Develop better energy
storage and conversion devices is the main goal of the scientists and engineers because of
increasing global temperature due to consumption of fossil fuels. Fuel cell has potential and
capability to give maximum energy without deteriorating environment. Electrolyte is the most
important component of fuel cell because oxygen ion conduction only takes place through it.
Electrolyte can be made more efficient by doping multi elements in it. In this research work, effects
of multi doping in Ceria based electrolytes are discussed for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. The focus of
this project is to synthesize efficient electrolyte material which gives maximum oxygen ions
conduction for better performance of fuel cell. Multi transition metals like Ca, Sm, Gd, Ga and Ba
is doped with Ce in different composition via sol-gel and co-precipitation method. Four
compositions are considered as Ce0.8 Gd0.1 Ba0.05 Ga0.05, Ce0.8 Ca0.1 Ba0.05 Ga0.05, Ce0.8 Sm0.1 Ba0.05
Ga0.05 and Ce0.8 Ca0.03 Gd0.03 Sm0.03 Ba0.05 Ga0.05. Different properties of the synthesized materials
like ionic conductivity, crystal structure, optical properties bandgap and other properties have been
checked. High ionic conducting is expected by above mentioned compositions. To increase the
efficiency of energy conversion and storage devices doping behavior of materials is essential to
study. Ceria based electrolytes gives much better performance as compared to conventional
electrolyte materials like yttria stabilized zirconia. Ceria based electrolytes work in between
intermediate (600-800 oC) to low temperature (400-600 oC). Operating temperature of
conventional materials is above 1000 oC due to which efficiency of synthesize material decreases
and stability of material also decreases.
Crystalline structure of the material is determined by XRD, surface morphology of prepared
material is analyzed by SEM, energy band gap can be found by Uv-Vis, vibrational characteristics
and phase shift of the synthesized material can be found by Raman spectroscopy, materials used
in synthesis can be confirmed by FTIR. In the end conductivity and fuel cell performance is
checked.
