Understanding electrocatalytic activity of titanium and samarium doped ceria as anode material for solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

In the present work, titanium and samarium doped ceria (Ce0.73Ti0.07Sm0.2O2-delta, (STDC)) is evaluated as potential anode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The anode and electrolyte (Ce0.8Sm0.2O2-delta, (SDC20)) materials are synthesized using urea combustion method. The desired phase formed is confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The textural study is performed using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. STDC shows nearly 4 times enhancement in surface area and higher mesopores compared with SDC20. The effect of titanium on chemical environment of cerium is investigated using Xray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Both + 3 and + 4 valence states of cerium exist, which indicate high oxygen non-stoichiometry present in the synthesized samples. The morphological features are investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy/High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy. Electrolyte supported cell is fabricated using cold-pressing and spin coating of electrode and co-firing of cell. Fuel cell tests with 5 % H2 (95 % N2) as a fuel demonstrate Ce0.73Ti0.07Sm0.2O2-delta-NiO as a potential anode material for IT-SOFCs.