Temperature-programmed reduction and dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies of CeO2-based nanopowders for intermediate-temperature Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell anodes

TL;DR

This study investigates how crystallite size and dopant type affect the reducibility of CeO2-based nanomaterials for solid-oxide fuel cell anodes, using advanced characterization techniques.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the relationship between synthesis conditions, dopant choice, and reducibility of CeO2 nanomaterials for energy applications.

Findings

Smaller crystallite size enhances reducibility.

Gd2O3 doping results in higher reducibility than Sm2O3 and Y2O3.

Lower calcination temperatures improve material performance.

Abstract

In this work, we study the influence of the average crystallite size and dopant oxide on the reducibility of CeO2-based nanomaterials. Samples were prepared from commercial Gd2O3-, Sm2O3- and Y2O3-doped CeO2 powders by calcination at different temperatures ranging between 400 and 900C and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and BET specific surface area. The reducibility of the samples was analyzed by temperature-programmed reduction and in situ dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques. Our results clearly demonstrate that samples treated at lower temperatures, of smallest average crystallite size and highest specific surface areas, exhibit the best performance, while Gd2O3-doped ceria materials display higher reducibility than Sm2O3- and Y2O3-doped CeO2.