Auto-combustion Synthesis Research Articles

Auto-combustion synthesis of pure and Er, Dy co-doped ZnO nanomaterials for efficient methyl orange degradation using solar and visible light photocatalysis

Pure and Er-Dy co-doped ZnO nanomaterials (EDZ) were synthesized using auto combustion method. The obtained materials were used as photocatalysts for methyl orange (MO) degradation by solar irradiation and visible light (λ > 420 nm). The synthesized materials were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Uv-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements. XRD revealed highly crystalline hexagonal wurtzite structures. The crystallite size enhanced with Er and Dy dopants. DRS analyses revealed that energy gap (Eg) values for doped (Er 2.5%-5%+ Dy 2.5%–5%) nanoparticles were in the range 3.16–3.20 eV, showing a decreasing trend with increasing dopant concentrations. The CV measurements showed enhanced conductivity of doped nanomaterials than pure ZnO. The best photocatalytic activity was demonstrated by nanomaterials having the highest concentration of doping i. e. Zn0.90 Er0.05 Dy0.05O. The temperature dependent dielectric constant and tangent loss decreased with applied frequency for all prepared materials in general.

Effect of cobalt substitution on physical & electro-magnetic properties of SrAl4Fe8O19 hexa-ferrite

Cobalt substituted strontium hexa-ferrite (SrAl4Fe8-xCoxO19 where, x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1) were successfully prepared by sol-gel auto combustion synthesis method. The autocatalytic nature of the combustion process was studied by thermal analysis of the dried gels. The ferrite was characterized with respect to phase identification using X-ray diffraction. Saturation magnetization and hysteresis parameters were measured at room temperature with a maximum magnetic field of 70 kOe. As the cobalt concentration increased, the saturation magnetization was increased from 12.25 to 18.77 emu/gm, however, the coercivity decreased with the increase in cobalt concentration due to the spin canted structure was formed. The variation in the dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor were discussed in the frequency range of 20 Hz–20MHz. It was found that the dielectric constant & loss increased with the increase in Co content. The AC electrical resistivity was decreased with the increase of dopent concentration.

Polycrystalline to preferred-(100) single crystal texture phase transformation of yttrium iron garnet nanoparticles.

Nanocrystalline Ce-substituted yttrium iron garnet (YIG) powders of different compositions, Y3−xCexFe5O12 (0 ≤ x ≤ 2.0), were synthesized by a combination of sol–gel auto-combustion and solid-state synthesis techniques. The as-obtained powder samples were sintered at 1150 °C for 10 h. The garnet structure formation is confirmed by the X-ray diffraction pattern, which shows that the calculated lattice parameter increased for x = 1.0 and shows a decreasing trend for x ≥ 1.0 with the addition of cerium ions. The lattice parameter increased from 12.38 Å to 12.41 Å for x ≤ 1.0 whereas it decreased from 12.412 Å to 12.405 Å with the cerium composition for x > 1.0. The average particle size determined by high resolution transmission electron microscopy is in the range of 50 to 90 nm and found to increase with the substitution of cerium ions in YIG. The room temperature magnetic parameters such as saturation magnetization, coercivity and remanence magnetization are greatly affected by the substitution of cerium ions. The values of saturation magnetization decrease from 25.5 to 15 emu g−1 whereas coercivity increases from 1 to 28 Oe with the substitution of cerium ions. The pure YIG sample shows polycrystalline nature that changed towards a single-crystal structure leading to a preferred-(100) orientation with the Ce substitution. The change from a ring to a spotty pattern observed in SAED confirmed the crystalline phase transformation and is well supported by HRTEM and magnetic measurements. The behavior of magnetic and electrical properties is well supported by the poly- and single-crystalline nature of YIG and Ce-YIG, respectively. The crystal structure transformation in YIG brought about by Ce substitution could unveil enormous opportunities in the preparation of single-crystal materials from their polycrystalline counterparts.

Structural and electrochemical behavior of a NiMnO3/Mn2O3 nanocomposite as an anode for high rate and long cycle lithium ion batteries

In this work, first time a pre-designed NiMnO3/Mn2O3 nanocomposite is synthesized via a facile urea-assisted auto-combustion synthesis with the phase fraction ratio of ∼89% and ∼11%, respectively as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Preparation characterization and magnetic properties of Zn(1-x)CoxO nanoparticle Dilute magnetic semiconductors

Cobalt-doped ZnO nanoparticles having chemical formula Zn(1-x)CoxO (x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20) were prepared by means of auto-combustion synthesis. Formation of monophasic wurtzite structure material was confirmed from XRD data. Inclusion of the Co2+ ions in the ZnO matrix produced several fascinating effects in the structural, physical and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles. The lattice constants ‘a’ and ‘c’ got inflated and the average crystallite size shriveled from 25 nm to 17 nm with the increase of Co concentration ‘x’ in the sample. The FT-IR spectra showed the characteristic absorption bands in the range of 400 cm−1 to 576 cm−1 due to formation of ZnO and CoO stretching bonds in the samples. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images show agglomerates of particles that are spherical in nature. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) spectra of the samples giving molecular weight percentages of the elements Zn, Co and O in the samples are in agreement with the calculated percentages within the limit of permissible error. Hysteresis, FC, and ZFC measurements made on the samples, exhibit presence of ferromagnetic phase in the materials. Energy band gap estimates made with the help of UV spectroscopy indicated a decreasing trend of band gap with increasing ‘x’ in the sample. Photoluminescence studies carried out with excitation wavelength of 318 nm gave several emission peaks ranging from green to violet emissions. This observation confirms the presence of vacancies (defects) in the nanoparticle samples. Luminescence decay time recorded was in the range microseconds for all the samples.

Diffusional and electrochemical investigation of combustion synthesized BaLi2Ti6O14 titanate anode for rechargeable batteries

Energy-savvy auto-combustion synthesis was used to form the porous BaLi2Ti6O14 titanate anode. It registered the lowest calcination temperature (800 °C) along with the shortest calcination duration (2 h). Rietveld analysis confirmed the purity of the orthorhombic (s.g. Cmca) product phase. The bond valence site energy analysis indicated a 1D ionic conduction along c axis with low activation energy and 2D pathways along (010) with high activation energy. AC conductivity analysis revealed a bulk conductivity of 2.41 × 10−4 S/cm (at 300 °C) with a moderate activation energy barrier (0.68 eV). From cyclic voltammetry, the Li+ diffusion coefficient was calculated to be 10−11–10−12 cm2/s. The as-synthesized BaLi2Ti6O14 reversibly intercalated ∼1.3 Li+ involving a 1.42 V Ti4+/Ti3+ redox activity delivering capacity ∼100 mA h/g with good cyclability over 100 cycles. Furthermore, BaLi2Ti6O14 was found to reversibly intercalate ∼0.89 Na+. With suitable diffusional and electrochemical performance, BaLi2Ti6O14 form a safe titanate anode for secondary batteries.

Mesoporous-mixed-phase of hierarchical bismuth oxychlorides nanophotocatalyst with enhanced photocatalytic application in treatment of antibiotic effluents

The mesoporous-mixed-phase of hierarchical bismuth rich-bismuth oxychlorides nanophotocatalysts were synthesized using a facile one-pot sorbitol-nitrate solution auto-combustion synthesis and without additional heat and other post-treatments. The efficacies of the sorbitol as fuel to oxidizer ratio which is called the fuel to oxidizer ratio were studied on the behaviour of combustion, type and weighted quantity of phases and other remarkable features via X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, particle size distribution, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy-Dot mapping, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda and Ultraviolet–Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy analyses. Moreover, the solar-light-driven heterogeneous photocatalytic performance of nanophotocatalysts fabricated was evaluated in the antibiotic ofloxacin degradation as an emerging contaminant. The bismuth rich-bismuth oxychlorides synthesized with fuel ratio of 1, as the grain-like mixed-phase with an intra-heterojunction between 59% BiOCl and 41% Bi24O31Cl10 indicated the higher activity (at about 80% after 120 min irradiation) and degradation rate (0.018 min−1) as well as substantial stability after five cycles with high total open pore volume of 0.189 cm3/g, specific surface area of 93 m2/g, meso-structure of pores with average pore width of 11 nm, absorption of much light, appropriate band gap (2.69 eV), and the diminution of incorporation rate of electrons and holes. The mesoporous-mixed-phase bismuth rich-bismuth oxychlorides is a promising solar-light-driven nanophotocatalyst for organics photo-destruction.

Preparation of cobalt substituted zinc ferrite nanopowders via auto-combustion route: an investigation to their structural and magnetic properties

CoxZn1−xFe2O4 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) nanopowders were fabricated via auto-combustion synthesis followed by calcined treatment. The structural, morphological, compositional and magnetic properties of the as-synthesized samples were decided by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, specific surface area and Physical Property Measurement System analyses, respectively. The XRD patterns revealed all annealed cobalt substituted zinc nanoferrites display a single phase cubic spinel structure, the decrease in lattice constant with increasing Co2+ ions concentration is related to the lattice shrinkage originated from the replacement of Zn2+ ions (ionic radii of 0.82 A) by Co2+ ions (ionic radii of 0.78 A); the increase of crystallite size with increasing Co2+ ions content can be attributed to the less exothermic for the formation of cobalt ferrite than that for zinc ferrite. The M–H curves revealed that there are unsaturated magnetization and negligible hysteresis loops for all samples with lower cobalt concentration (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3), implying a superparamagnetic behavior; while the Co0.4Zn0.6Fe2O4 nanoparticles (x = 0.4) show ferromagnetism at room temperature. The M–T relations inferred the substitution of cobalt ions can remarkably enhance Curie temperature of the as-prepared Co–Zn ferrite nanoparticles. At room temperature lower cobalt-substituted zinc nanoferrites tend to show superparamagnetism while higher cobalt-substituted zinc nanoferrites prefer to present ferromagnetism.

Auto-combustion synthesis and electrochemical studies of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ – Ce0.8Sm0.1Gd0.1O1.90 nanocomposite cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

In the present study, a nanocomposite cathode comprising Fe rich La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ (LSCF) based pervoskite semiconductor oxide and Sm-Gd co-doped ceria rich Ce0.8Sm0.1Gd0.1O1.90 (CSGO) in the ratio of 1:1 has been successfully synthesized by a simple glycine nitrate auto combustion method. The structural properties of the two phase nanocomposite were evaluated by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. A detailed electrical properties of co-doped LSCF-CSGO nanocomposites have been studied with a comparison of LSCF added with 10 mol% and 20 mol% Gd singly doped ceria (LSCF-GDC10 and LSCF-GDC20) nanocomposites as a function of temperature in the range of 673–1073 K at air atmosphere by AC impedance spectroscopy. The total electrical conductivity of the co-doped LSCF-CSGO nanocomposites has been found to be 0.043 S cm−1 at 973 K which is higher than that of the LSCF composite containing singly doped compositions. The Sm co-doping in GDC phase has effectively helped to reduce the undesired electronic conduction produced in the doped ceria as the electron concentration of LSCF-CSGO was found to be − 2.62 × 1015 cm−3 which was lower than the electron concentration of LSCF containing singly doped nanocomposite (LSCF-GDC20, − 2 ×1016 cm−3) estimated by Hall-Effect measurement. The activation energy of LSCF-CSGO nanocomposite has been found to be 0.05 eV for the oxygen reduction reaction by temperature dependent Arrhenius equation. The improved electrical properties in terms of high ionic conductivity and low activation energy have been achieved through the incorporation of Sm into GDC10 electrolyte phase in LSCF nanocomposite. The combustion synthesis method has also effectively helped to produce microstructure containing large grain size (~ 6 µm) which is beneficial for enlarging triple phase boundary (TPB) area of cathodes utilized in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) operated at reduced/intermediate temperature (673–973 K).

Influence of the autocombustion synthesis conditions and the calcination temperature on the microstructure and electrochemical properties of BaCe0.8Zr0.1Y0.1O3−δ electrolyte material

This study focuses on the influence of the microstructure on the conductivity of the BaCe0.8Zr0.1Y0.1O3−δ compound, prepared by nitrate-glycine autocombustion, with a special attention to the influence of less studied parameters, i.e. the nature of the precursors and the ratio between the nitrate precursors and the glycine, and the temperature of the calcination step. It has been shown that the nature of the precursors and the ratio between the nitrate precursors and the glycine impact strongly both the microstructure of the powders after autocombustion and of the pellets calcined at 1000 °C and sintered at 1400 °C. The highest total conductivity in dry air (above 10−2 S/cm from 700 °C) was obtained for a sample without secondary phase. The impact of the calcination temperature was subsequently studied between 700 °C and 1000 °C on this latter sample. EIS measurements make possible the differentiation of the grain and grain boundary contributions to the total conductivity, in accordance with the change of the microstructure visible on SEM images after sintering of pellets calcined at different temperatures. It has been shown that the grain boundaries play a key role on the evolution of the total conductivity of BaCe0.8Zr0.1Y0.1O3−δ, which is, at high temperatures, mainly anionic.

Preparation and characterization of α-Fe2O3 via auto-combustion synthesis

Preparation and characterization of α-Fe2O3 via auto-combustion synthesis

Revisiting the alluaudite NaMnFe2(PO4)3 sodium insertion material: Structural, diffusional and electrochemical insights

Among the gamut of sodium battery insertion materials, NaMnFe2(PO4)3 was reported as the first alluaudite framework compound albeit with poor electrochemical activity [Chem. Mater. 22 (2010) 5554]. We hereby report auto-combustion synthesis of carbon coated NaMnFe2(PO4)3 alluaudite and its Na+ diffusion, ionic conductivity and electrochemical activity synergizing experiments with bond valence site energy (BVSE) modeling. It registered a 2.8 V redox activity with a reversible capacity of ∼60 mAh g−1 with good cycling stability. BVSE calculations revealed an exceptionally low one-dimensional migration barrier of 0.31 eV for Na-ion diffusion. It was in sync with the low activation energy barrier of 0.162 eV derived from ac impedance spectroscopy. NaMnFe2(PO4)3 alluaudite cathode was found to have conductivity value of 0.5×10−6 S cm−1 at room temperature. Among the PO4-based sodium battery insertion materials, NaMnFe2(PO4)3 alluaudite shows excellent ionic conductivity with very low Na+ migration barrier. It can lead to the realization of superior reversible capacity in this alluaudite cathode comparable to LiFePO4.

Effect of La3+ and Pr3+ co-doping on structural, thermal and electrical properties of ceria ceramics as solid electrolytes for IT-SOFC applications

In the present investigation, the effect of La3+ and Pr3+ co-doping on structural, thermal and electrical properties of ceria ceramics useful as solid electrolytes in intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) has been studied. The co-doped ceria Ce0.8Pr0.2–xLaxO2-δ samples have been prepared successfully via sol-gel auto-combustion synthesis. The high dense ceramic samples have been achieved by carry out an optimized conventional sintering at 1300 °C for 4 h. The powder X-ray diffraction analysis of all the co-doped ceria ceramics revealed the single phase with cubic-fluorite structure formation. Crystallographic information has been carried out from the powder X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement analysis. The scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis revealed the smaller grain size with high density in microstructure and stoichiometric elemental confirmations. Raman spectra of prepared ceramics revealed the information of phase and oxygen vacancy formation in the entire compositions. The dilatometric studies of prepared co-doped ceria ceramics revealed the moderate coefficients of thermal expansion. The electrical parameters such as total conductivities and activation energies have been studied with the help of impedance spectroscopy. Among all these co-doped ceria ceramic samples, Ce0.80Pr0.10La0.10O2−δ found to exhibit the highest value of total ionic conductivity with minimum activation energy and this makes it could be a promising electrolyte material for IT-SOFC applications.

Dy3Fe5O12 and DyFeO3 nanostructures: Green and facial auto-combustion synthesis, characterization and comparative study on electrochemical hydrogen storage

Although the technology of hydrogen energy heightened gradually, the application of binary metal oxides as a host for hydrogen sorption has not been widely established. Here we show, with a facial combustion method, the formation of Dy3Fe5O12 and DyFeO3 nanostructures with maximum average particle sizes ranging from 25 to 30 and 16–18 nm, respectively. The physical properties of the samples were served which further reflect in hydrogen storage properties. The discharge capacities of Dy3Fe5O12 and DyFeO3 nanoparticles were obtained at 2000 and 2100 mA h/g, respectively. The hydrogen storage properties were confirmed in their respective current-voltage cycles, prior to chronopotentiometry.

Sucrose chelated auto combustion synthesis of BiFeO3 nanoparticles: Magnetically recoverable catalyst for the one‐pot synthesis of polyhydroquinoline

Sucrose chelated Bismuth ferrite (BiFeO3) nanoparticles as a novel heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized by an auto combustion route. Different calcination temperatures (150 °C, 450 °C, 550 °C, 650 °C, 750 °C and 850 °C) have been employed to obtain single phased BiFeO3 nanoparticles. The perovskite structure formation and disappearance of organic phase (sucrose) was obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). Phase determination and structural characterization was carried out by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The magnetic properties were analyzed by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) whereas surface area/pore volume was obtained by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). Transmission electron microscope (TEM) analyzed the particles size and morphology. Thermal stability was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and determination of constituent elements was carried out by X‐ray Photo‐Electron Spectroscopy (XPS). Raman spectroscopy confirmed the perovskite structure of the synthesized materials. The BiFeO3 nanoparticles so obtained were employed as heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives. All the polyhydroquinoline derivatives were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). For the very first time ever we have used BiFeO3 as a recyclable magnetic nanocatalyst in the one‐pot four component cyclization reaction of benzaldehyde, ethylacetoacetate/methylacetoacetate, dimedone/cyclohexane‐1,3‐dione, and ammonium acetate for the synthesis of polyhydroquinoline derivatives without solvent under refluxing conditions to provide excellent yields of products. BiFeO3 nanocatalyst (without any functionalization/surface coatings) shows easy magnetic separation, recyclability, reusability along with excellent yield of polyhydroquinoline derivatives in an economic and benign way.

Effects of preparation methods on the structure and property of Al-stabilized CaO-based sorbents for CO2 capture

CaO-based sorbents are promising candidates for CO2 capture at high temperatures via Ca looping systems. This work aims to examine the effects of preparation methods on the microstructure and performance of Al-stabilized CaO-based sorbents for capturing CO2. Different preparation techniques including wet mixing, co-precipitation and sol-gel auto-combustion synthesis were employed to prepare the Al2O3-stabilized Ca-based sorbents with various mass ratios of components. Changes in CO2 absorbing capacity and stability were clearly observed for the sorbents prepared with different methods. Field scanning electron microscope and N2 adsorption and desorption isotherms analyses showed that the preparation methods tended to impact the morphology and porosity of the sorbents, hence affecting the adsorption capacity. The 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the mixed oxides revealed that the sorbents prepared from different methods all contained the same structural units of tetrahedral Al site (AlO4), but with obviously different intensity and broad shoulder peak. This demonstrated that the micro domain environment of 27Al atoms residing in the lattice could be effectively modified by the doping methods.

Facile and rapid auto-combustion synthesis of nano-porous γ-Al2O3 by application of hexamethylenetetramine in fuel composition

In this article, urea, glycine and hexamethylenetetramine were blended in accordance with the mixture design algorithm to prepare γ-Al2O3 by auto-combustion technique. Aluminum nitrate was then mixed with the stoichiometric contents of prepared fuel solutions to obtain gel systems. The gels exhibited a typical self-propagating combustion behavior at low temperature, directly resulting amorphous materials. The precursors were calcined at various temperatures ranging from 700 to 900 °C. The treated powders were evaluated by determining the methylene blue (MB) adsorption efficiency. The production condition to obtain γ-Al2O3 with maximum surface area depends on fuel composition and calcination temperature. The alumina powder fabricated by this procedure was uniformly distributed and contains nano-sized secondary particles with diameter about 10–30 nm in which the average pore size is 3.2 nm induced large surface area, 240 m2g-1. The employment of hexamethylenetetramine provides a potential for synthesis of γ-Al2O3 at lower temperature, 700 °C, with maximum MB removal efficiency.

Dy3Al2(AlO4)3 ceramic nanogarnets: Sol-gel auto-combustion synthesis, characterization and joint experimental and computational structural analysis for electrochemical hydrogen storage performances

A single crystal Dy3Al2(AlO4)3 rare-earth nanogarnets were grown via a sol-gel combustion method using single fuel. The structure and purity of nanogarnets was confirmed by XRD analysis. The average crystallite sizes and the effective particle sizes were calculated by Scherrer and Hall-Williamson equations. The FTIR results clearly confirmed the formation of metal-oxygen and metal-metal bonds of the product. The morphological studies were affirmed the nanoscale formation of Dy3Al5O12 with approximately narrow distribution of the particles. The direct band gap energy of the nanogarnets was calculated using Tauc equation about 3.33 eV. To complement the experimental data, the structural and electronic properties were calculated using periodic density functional theory. The use of the Hubbard U parameter was used and improved the band gap to experimental values. Experimental and computational observations have rendered the Dy3Al5O12 nanogarnets can be suitable for hydrogen energy sorption. The electrochemical hydrogen storage capacity of Dy3Al5O12 was measured at about 3137 mAh/g after 15 cycles.

Nd: YAG laser irradiation effects on structural and magnetic properties of Ni1+xZrxFe2–2xO4 nanoparticles

The effect of 112mJ Nd: YAG laser irradiation on structural, morphological, infrared and magnetic properties of Ni1+xZrxFe2–2xO4 spinel ferrite nanoparticles has been systematically investigated in the present work. The sol-gel auto combustion synthesis method was successfully executed for the synthesis of the present system. All the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) technique. The magnetic properties of the present samples were measured by pulse field hysteresis loop technique. All the properties were measured for laser irradiated samples as well, to understand the effect of irradiation on the properties. The single-phase cubic spinel structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction patterns of all samples and the disordered structure was observed for irradiated samples. The two principle absorption bands in IR spectra also confirm the formation of the spinel structure. Spherical and agglomerated morphology was observed for Zr4+ substituted nickel ferrite, whereas scratched morphology was observed for the irradiated samples. The grain size confirms the nanocrystalline nature, the crystallite size also evident the same. The magnetic parameters decreased after Zr4+ ion doping and strongly influenced by the irradiation.

Preparation and characterization zirconium and samarium co-doped ceria solid electrolytes for IT-SOFC applications

Zirconium and Samarium co-doped ceria solid electrolyte materials Ce0.8–xSm0.2ZrxO2-δ (x=0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20) for intermediate temperature-solid oxide fuel cells were synthesized by citrate-nitrate auto combustion synthesis technique. Powder x-ray diffraction results reveal that all the synthesized samples show a single-phase with cubic fluorite structure. The lattice parameter values were calculated from the powder x-ray diffraction data. Samples with high density were obtained by sintering the samples at 1300°C for 4h. The average crystallite sizes were calculated from the Scherer formula. Surface morphologies of all the samples were obtained by using the scanning electron microscope. The total ionic conductivity of all the samples was carried out from impedance analysis in the temperature range RT – 500°C. The highest total ionic-conductivity with lowest activation energy values were observed for Ce0.65Sm0.2Zr0.15O2-δ at 500°C makes it as a useful solid electrolyte material for intermediate temperature-solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) applications.