Abstract
Maltose and pectin-assisted low-temperature combustion modified sol–gel process was employed to synthesize nanopowders of Ce0.8Sm0.2O2−δ (SDC 20), Ce0.81Nd0.095Sm0.095O2−δ (NSDC). The sample's powder was sintered at 1250oC for 6h to form dense ceramics with a relative density greater than 95%. The Rietveld refinement of powder XRD patterns indicates a single-phase material with a cubic fluorite structure. The Raman spectroscopy studies confirm solid solution with evidence of more oxygen vacancies in sample NSDC to sample SDC 20. The SEM images of the samples show a high-dense surface with few pores. The EDX results confirm the sample's chemical composition. Impedance measurements were carried out to study electrical properties. The NSDC sample showed improved conductivity (3.06×10-2S/cm at 600°C) over SDC 20 (2.16×10-2S/cm at 600°C) with lower activation energy (0.81eV). Specific grain (σ*g) and grain boundary (σ*gb) conductivity values were calculated using porosity corrections to the Bricklayer model.
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