Detonation nanodiamond introduced into samarium doped ceria electrolyte improving performance of solid oxide fuel cell

Abstract

Abstract A novel electrolyte materials of introducing detonation nanodiamond (DNDs) into samarium doped ceria (SDC) is reported here. 1%wt. DNDs doping SDC (named SDC/ND) can enlarge the electrotyle grain size and change the valence of partial ceria. DNDs provide the widen channel to accelerate the mobility of oxygen ions in electrolyte. Larger grain size means that oxygen ions move easier in electrolyte, it can also reduce the alternating current (AC) impedance spectra of internal grains. The lower valence of partial Ce provides more oxygen vacancies to enhance mobility rate of oxygen ions. Hence all of them enhance the transportation of oxygen ions in SDC/ND electrolyte and the OCV. Ultimately the power density of SOFC can reach 762 mw cm −2 at 800 °C (twice higher than pure SDC, which is 319 mw cm −2 at 800 °C), and it remains high power density in the intermediate temperature (600–800 °C). It is relatively high for the electrolyte supported (300 μm) cells.