Effect of Surfactants on the Physico-Chemical Characteristics of IrO/Ce 0.8 Sm 0.2 O 2-δ Nanocomposite for SOFC Application

The sol-gel technique is a simple method that has been adapted to synthesize complex metal oxide formulations. The sol-gel technique takes advantage of the structural directing properties and templating characteristics of surfactant to produce porous Iridium oxide, with samarium doped ceria (SDC) nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were calcined at a temperature of 950 °C, and the nanostructural compositions were characterized by X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The particle morphology and textural characteristics were respectively characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Nitrogen sorption at 77.5 K. The electrochemical properties were measured using a KITTEC SQUADRO muffle furnace and a SOFC testing equipment, with air and hydrogen as the gases used. The properties of the surfactant changed the particle morphology, pore diameter, pore size, crystallite size, surface area and electrochemical properties.