Multi Doped Ceria based Electrolyte for Low Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

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.