Development and electrochemical performance of co-doped ceria (Sm_0.10Ga_0.10Ce_0.80O_2-δ) electrolyte material for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (LT-SOFC)

Developing an electrolyte material for using in the low-temperature fuel cell (LT-SOFC) is a highly challenging issue. In this study, Samarium (Sm) and Gallium (Ga) doped ceria CeO₂ (Sm_0.10Ga_0.10Ce_0.80O_2-δ) named as SGDC electrolyte material have been prepared by co-precipitation method and its ionic conductivity and electrical performance have been evaluated in the 400–700 °C temperature range. The crystallographic condition and phase formation of the material was analysed and observed a single-phase cubic fluorite crystal structure with a mean value of 39 nm in the prepared SGDC. The electrolyte materials showed a comparatively lower activation energy of 0.49 eV; however, they exhibited remarkably high ionic conductivity, current density and power density at a significantly lower operating temperature of 400 °C. The electrochemical results demonstrate the potentiality of the prepared Sm_0.10Ga_0.10Ce_0.80O_2-δ material to be used as the electrolyte for LT-SOFC.