EFFECT OF NICKEL CONTENTS ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE OF MESOPOROUS NICKEL OXIDE/GADOLINIUM-DOPED CERIA

Abstract

The effect of NiO contents on the microstructure of mesoporous NiO - Gd 0.25 Ce 0.75 O 2-x ( NiO -GDC) composite for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFC) was investigated. Mesoporous NiO -GDC powders with different NiO contents were synthesized by self-assembly hydrothermal method using tri-block copolymer, Pluronic F127, as a structure directing agent. Grain growth/agglomeration behaviors of NiO particles and changes of mesoporous structure of GDC particles were characterized by microstructural analyses. NiO -GDC powders were composed of GDC nano particles with ordered mesopore inside the particles and octahedral NiO grains with truncated-edges. As the amount of NiO increases, specific area value of mesoporous NiO -GDC was decreased, and the agglomeration/growth behavior of NiO grains was accelerated.