Solid oxide fuel cells are one of the most promising technologies for energy generation, are mainly based on designs that employ yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as electrolyte. Efforts have been done to find new electrolyte materials with higher electrical conductivity, lowering the SOFC operating temperature. Ceria based electrolytes have received great attention as a substitute for YSZ. However, ceria-based ceramics prepared with micrometric powders must be sintered at high temperatures yielding secondary phases, which are detrimental to electrical conduction. In this work, pure and cobalt oxide doped samples were prepared from Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9 nanopowder and sintered through two-step method. Cobalt oxide addition was effective in densification (96.8% of theoretical density), however, it was deleterious to grain boundary conductivity although it has improved grain conductivity comparing to Co-free samples.
ceria; nanopowder; solid electrolyte; sintering aid
