Firing characteristics of La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-δ electrolyte powders prepared by spray pyrolysis

La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-delta (LSGM) electrolyte powders suitable for use in solid-oxide fuel cells were prepared by spray pyrolysis. The powders were spherical in shape and exhibited non-aggregation characteristics. The mean particle size of the LSGM powders was 0.89 mu m. The powders post-treated at temperatures of 1000 and 1300 degrees C had main crystal structure of LSGM. The powders post-treated at temperatures of 1000 and 1300 degrees C had impurity peaks of LaSrGa3O7 and LaSrGaO4 phases. Pellets sintered at 1300 and 1400 degrees C had relative densities of 82% and 95% and mean grain sizes of 2.3 and 3.1 mu m, respectively. The pellet sintered at 1400 degrees C had a lower alpha(app)(gb) value than that of the pellet sintered at 1300 degrees C. The total conductivities of the pellets sintered at 1300 and 1400 degrees C were 1.44 x 10(-3) and 2.89 x 10(-3) S/cm, respectively, at a low measuring temperature of 500 degrees C. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.