Synthesis and Characterization of Gadolinium doped Cerium (Ce_0,9Gd_0,1O_1,95) by using Various Carbonates as a Precipitant

Gadolinium-doped cerium (Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95, GDC) as an electrolyte in IT-SOFC has higher performance in nano-sized than the other sized. Carbonate was known as a precipitant agent that could affect the morphology and size of the particle. In this study, the effects of various carbonates as a precipitant agent on the synthesis of GDC by co-precipitation method were investigated. Cerium in the form of Ce(NO₃)₃.6H₂O (cerium nitrate hexahydrate) used in the synthesis process. Three types of carbonates, i.e. ammonium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and sodium hydrogen carbonate, namely GDC1, GDC2, and GDC3, respectively, was used as a precipitating agent. The GDC powder resulted was then characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR), Particle Size Analysis (PSA), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The carbonates variation affected the physical properties and the formed particle of GDC. GDC2 showed the optimum carbonate that produces electrolyte GDC with better properties as an IT-SOFC electrolyte based on physical properties.