Comparative study on structural properties of NiO–GDC nanocomposites fabricated via electrospinning and gel combustion processes

Abstract

Synthesis and structural properties of nickel oxide-gadolinium doped ceria (GDC) nanocomposite via sol–gel/electrospinning route were investigated for the first time, and the results were compared with those obtained through gel combustion method. Various analytical techniques, such as XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM and BET, were used to characterise the prepared samples. The electrospinning process resulted in the nanocomposite powder with specific surface area of 145·8 m2 g−1, whereas in the case of the gel combustion method, it was about 9·6 m2 g−1. The bulk densities of the nanocomposites prepared via electrospinning and gel combustion methods were found to be 4·08 and 4·8 g cm−3 respectively. Finally, an attempt was made to evaluate the electrochemical properties of the electrolyte supported Ni–GDC/yttria stabilised zirconia (YSZ)/lanthanum strontium manganate (LSM) cell, using the fibre derived material as the anode and hydrogen as the fuel. The results indicated that the maximum power density and the open circuit voltage of the cell were 55 mW cm−2 and 1·2 V at 800°C respectively.