Influence of Low Sintering Temperature on BaCe<sub>0.2</sub>Zr<sub>0.6</sub>Y<sub>0.2</sub>O<sub>3−δ</sub> IT-SOFC Perovskite Electrolyte Synthesized by Co-Precipitation Method
Muhammad Rafique,
Neelam Safdar,
Muneeb Irshad,
Muhammad Usman,
Maaz Akhtar,
Muhammad Wajid Saleem,
Muhammad Mujtaba Abbas,
Ahmed Ashour,
Manzoore Elahi Soudagar
Affiliations
Muhammad Rafique
Department of Physics, University of Sahiwal, Sahiwal 57000, Pakistan
Neelam Safdar
Department of Physics, University of Gujrat, Gujrat 50700, Pakistan
Muneeb Irshad
Department of Physics, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore 54890, Pakistan
Muhammad Usman
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore 54890, Pakistan
Maaz Akhtar
Mechanical Engineering Department, NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 75270, Pakistan
Muhammad Wajid Saleem
Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, College of Engineering, Dhofar University, Salalah 211, Oman
Muhammad Mujtaba Abbas
Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Campus, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore 39021, Pakistan
Ahmed Ashour
Engineering Mathematics and Physics Department, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Future University in Egypt, New Cairo 11845, Egypt
Manzoore Elahi Soudagar
Department of Mechanical Engineering and University Centre for Research & Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India
BaCe0.2Zr0.6Y0.2O3−δ (BCZY) perovskite electrolytes were synthesized for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell with a cost-effective and versatile co-precipitation method. The synthesized BCZY electrolytes were sintered at 900, 1000, and 1100 °C to observe the effects of low sintering temperature on the structural, morphological, thermal, and electrical properties of BCZY. All BCZY electrolytes materials exhibited a crystalline perovskite structure and were found to be thermally stable. The crystallinity and conductivity of BCZY electrolyte enhanced with increased sintering temperature, due to the grain growth. At the same time, secondary phases of carbonates were also observed for samples sintered at a temperature lower than 1100 °C. The BCZY sintered at 1100 °C exhibited a density >95%, and a power density of 350 mWcm−2 with open-circuit voltage 1.02 V at 650 °C was observed due its dense and airtight structure. Based on the current investigation, we suggest that the BaCe0.2Zr0.6Y0.2O3−δ perovskite electrolyte sintered at a temperature of 1100 °C is a suitable electrolyte for IT-SOFC.