Single step synthesis and heat effect on structure of new type nanostructured zirconia based solid electrolyte

In this study, the new type solid electrolytes studied that can be an alternative to 8YSZ used in conventional Solid Oxide Fuel Cells while exhibiting the same ionic conductivity at lower temperatures. Cubic phase Zirconium Oxide stabilised with Ytterbium and Yttria doping (YbYSZ) have been synthesized with various doping fractions (only for certain amounts of Yb = 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.12, 0.16 mol% and Y = 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.16 mol%) by the Pechini method. The particle size distribution of the powder calcined at 900 °C for 24 h is examined by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The powder was pelletized and sintered to obtain a dense structure. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) was performed as a function of temperature. Highest ionic conductivity obtained in this study is 2.43 × 10−1 Scm−1 at 800 °C for the 0.06 mol% Yb and 0.02 mol% Y doped ZrO2 (6Yb2YSZ) electrolyte. The relationship between grain structure and conductivity is investigated using SEM and EIS. Grain size increases with dopant loading up to 0.12 mol% but degradation of microstructure is observed on higher dopant ratio. The power density of the produced single cell is measured 313.9 mW/cm2. It is concluded that the 6Yb2YSZ electrolyte material is a promising candidate for use as solid electrolyte.