Composite cathode development for solid oxide fuel cells at low temperatures using Gadolinium-Doped Ceria as electrolyte

This paper examines the development and characterization of composite cathodes for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) utilizing gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) as the electrolyte material. The advantages of operating SOFCs at low temperatures include increased durability, decreased material costs, and improved startup characteristics. The composite cathodes seek to optimize the electrochemical performance of SOFCs operating at low temperatures. The focus of this study is on combining GDC with other cathode materials to improve the overall efficacy of composite cathodes. Due to its high ionic conductivity at low temperatures, chemical stability, and compatibility with a variety of cathode materials, GDC is chosen as the electrolyte material. Using techniques such as co-precipitation, solid-state mixing, and electrodeposition, composite cathodes are fabricated, and their structural and electrochemical properties are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electrochemical analysis. In low-temperature SOFCs, performance evaluations reveal that composite cathodes with GDC electrolyte exhibit enhanced power density, cell voltage, and stability. Combining GDC with other cathode materials produces synergistic effects that result in enhanced electrochemical activity, reduced polarization losses, and improved compatibility with the low-temperature operation. This study contributes to the development of composite cathodes for low-temperature SOFCs by shedding light on their design and optimization for enhanced performance and durability. Utilizing GDC as an electrolyte material provides benefits in terms of its ionic conductivity and chemical stability. Exploring additional cathode materials and optimizing the composite cathode design for improved performance at low temperatures requires additional research.