Microstructure and ionic conductivity investigation of samarium doped ceria (Sm(0.2)Ce(0.8)O(1.9)) electrolytes prepared by the templating methods

Sm(0.2)Ce(0.8)O(1.9) (SDC20) electrolytes were synthesized with cellulose templating (CT) and PVA templating (PVAT) methods. Powder characteristics were examined using TG/DTA, XRD, and SEM. Pellets are sintered at various temperatures for different durations. Mean grain sizes were calculated from SEM micrographs using the linear intercept method. Grain growth behavior of the electrolytes was investigated and the dominant diffusion mechanism was examined. The grain growth activation energies were obtained for the first time for the mentioned electrolytes prepared by the mentioned methods. The ionic conductivities were calculated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The highest ionic conductivity value was found to be 0.050 S cm(−1) for the cellulose templating method.