High Sinterability Doped Scandia Zirconia Powders

The compound (CeO2)(1)(Y2O3)(0.2)(Sc2O3)(9.2)(ZrO2)(89.6) can be considered as a low ceria substituted scandia zirconia and has been investigated as a model composition for possible intermediate temperature electrolyte for SOFCs. The compound was produced by an innovative sol-gel and combustion method in an attempt to obtain a compositionally homogenous dense material. X-ray diffraction confirmed the expected cubic fluorite structure. Particle size analysis and SEM show a wide size range and indicate nano-particle agglomerates with platelet shape. The effects of milling have been investigated. The conductivity was measured by AC impedance spectroscopy. Two linear regions in Arrhenius plots were observed. The lower temperature region exhibited activation energy around 1.24 eV and the high temperature region 0.73 eV The ionic conductivity at 800 degrees C was 0.07 Scm(-1).