Effect of Surfactants on the Physico-Chemical Characteristics of IrO/Ce0.8Sm0.2O2-δ Nanocomposite for SOFC Application

Sol-gel technique takes advantage of the structural directing properties and templating characteristics of non-ionic, anionic and cationic surfactant to produce porous Iridium oxide, with Samarium doped Ceria (SDC) nanoparticles. The nano-powders were calcined at a temperature of 950 °C, and the crystalline nano- structures and compositions were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Textural characteristics and particle morphology were respectively characterized by Nitrogen sorption at 77.5 K and scanning electron microscopy. The nature of the surfactant influenced particle morphology, pore diameter, pore size, Crystallite size, surface area and electrochemical properties.