Processing and conduction properties of Gd-doped ceria electrolytes with ZnO semiconductor

Abstract The objective of this work is to search for a new kind of electrolyte with enhanced performance to work for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). ZnO which is one of the most important II-IV compound semiconductors is added to Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9 (GDC) to improve the electrical properties of the electrolyte. The XRD results reveal that ZnO doesn't affect the XRD pattern of doped cerium. The structure is composed of ZnO and CeO2 crystals. The electrical properties of the composites are analyzed through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements in both air and H2 atmosphere. It has been found that ZnO has a negative effect on the oxygen ionic conductivity, while the conductivity in H2 atmosphere increased with the increase of ZnO contents. EIS analysis in H2 atmosphere provides an evidence for proton transportation in the composite sample. The fuel cell performance tests show that ZnO can dramatically increase the power outputs of SOFC.