Gadolinia-doped ceria mixed with alkali carbonates for SOFC applications: II – An electrochemical insight

Composite materials based on gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) and alkali carbonates (Li2CO3-K2CO3 or Li2CO3-Na2CO3) are potential electrolytes for low temperature solid oxide fuel cell applications (LTSOFC). This paper completes a first one dedicated to the thermal, structural and morphological study of such compounds; it is fully focussed on their electrical/electrochemical properties in different conditions, temperature, composition and gaseous atmosphere (oxidative or reductive). The influence of the gaseous composition on the Arrhenius conductivity plots is evidenced, in particular under hydrogen atmosphere. Finally, electrical conductivity determined by impedance spectroscopy is presented as a function of time to highlight the stability of such composites over 6000 h. First results on single cells showed performance at 600 °C of 60 mW cm−2.