Influence of Sintering Temperature on the Structural, Morphological, and Electrochemical Properties of NiO-YSZ Anode Synthesized by the Autocombustion Route

Journal article (2022)

Authors

Muneeb Irshad University of Engineering and Technology Lahore
Muhammad Rafique University of Sahiwal
Asif Nadeem Tabish University of Engineering and Technology Lahore
Abdul Ghaffar Government College University, Lahore
A. Shakeel University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, Rivers, Ports, Waterways and Dredging Engineering - CEG
Khurram Siraj University of Engineering and Technology Lahore
Qurat ul Ain University of Engineering and Technology Lahore
Rizwan Raza COMSATS University Islamabad
Mohammed Ali Assiri King Khalid University, Abha
Muhammad Imran King Khalid University, Abha
Research Group
Rivers, Ports, Waterways and Dredging Engineering (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2022 Muneeb Irshad, Muhammad Rafique, Asif Nadeem Tabish, Abdul Ghaffar, A. Shakeel, Khurram Siraj, Qurat ul Ain, Rizwan Raza, Mohammed Ali Assiri, Muhammad Imran
DOI
help_outline
https://doi.org/10.3390/met12020219
Composite Microstructure Sintering Autocombustion synthesis Electrochemical performance
More Info
expand_more

Published Date

2022

Language

English

Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Hydraulic Engineering

Research Group

Rivers, Ports, Waterways and Dredging Engineering

Abstract

In this study, nickel oxide–Y2O3-doped ZrO2 (NiO-YSZ) composite powder as an anode material was synthesized using a cost-effective combustion method for high-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Further, the effects of sintering temperatures (1200, 1300, and 1400 °C) were studied for its properties in relation to the SOFC performance. The prepared and sintered NiO-YSZ materials were characterized for their surface morphology, composition, structure, and conductivity. The cubic crystalline nature of NiO and YSZ was sufficed by X-ray diffraction, and SEM images revealed an increase in the densification of microstructure by an increase in the sintering temperature. EDX spectrum confirmed the presence of nickel, yttrium, and zirconia without any impurity. Conductivity measurements, under a hydrogen environment, revealed that NiO-YSZ, sintered at 1400 °C, exhibits better conductivity compared to the samples sintered at lower temperatures. Electrochemical performance of button-cells was also evaluated and peak power density of 0.62 Wcm−2 is observed at 800 °C. The citrate combustion method provided peak performance for cells containing anode sintered at 1200 °C, which was previously reported at higher sintering temperatures. Therefore, the citrate combustion method is found to be a suitable route to synthesize NiO-YSZ at low sintering temperature.