Fabrication of solid oxide fuel cell based on doped ceria electrolyte by one-step sintering at 800 degrees C

Ce(0.8)Gd(0.05)Y(0.15)O(1.9)(GYDC) electrolyte was prepared by a carbonate co-precipitation method. Lithium nitrate at 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 mol was added to GYDC as sintering additive. 96 relative density was achieved for GYDC at sintering temperature of 800 degrees C with addition of 1.5 mol LiNO(3). The conductivities of GYDC with sintering aids LiNO3 were measured by a.c. impedance spectroscopy and showed comparable values to that of pure GYDC sample sintered at 1400 degrees C. A single cell with 1.5 mol LiNO(3) infiltrated GYDC electrolyte was fabricated by sintering at 800 degrees C for only 2 h. Lithiated NiO was synthesized by the glycine-nitrate combustion method and employed as cathode material. The cell was tested at temperatures from 500 to 575 degrees C and a maximum power density of 73 mW cm(-2) was obtained at 575 degrees C. These preliminary results indicate that LiNO(3) is a very effective sintering additive for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell fabrication.