Compositional optimization of gadolinia-doped ceria treatment for enhanced oxygen reduction kinetics in low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells
By Kim, Jun Woo; Jang, Dong Young; Kim, Manjin; Jeong, Heonjae; Kim, Namkeun; Shim, Joon Hyung
Published in Thin Solid Films
2017
Abstract
Abstract We report the optimization of the dopant concentration of gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) to enhance the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LTSOFCs). Crystalline {GDC} layers with uniform nano-granular structures were prepared by aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) on the cathode side of a {GDC} electrolyte. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics and power performances of the {AACVD} GDC-treated cells were measured and their cathodic reactions were analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to investigate the effect of {GDC} treatments with various dopant compositions. The cell treated with Gd0.14Ce0.86O2-? was found to show an optimized power performance with the best {ORR} kinetics, due to its nano-granular structure and high concentration of oxygen vacancies.