Synthesis, Structural and Thermal Properties of Layered Perovskites SmBaMn sub(2) O sub(5+d) for SOFCs Applications

New layered perovskite oxides with samarium (Sm super(+3)) rare earth doped layered perovskite materials were synthesized and characterised by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle size measurements and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Sm sub(0.5) Ba sub(0.5) MnO sub(3- delta ) and SmBMn sub(2) O sub(5+ delta ,) were synthesized by conventional solid state reaction method. Rietveld analysis of XRD data shows that all materials crystallize in the orthorhombic symmetry in the Pmmm space group. SEM images show porous structures which should be suitable as electrode materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). TGA results indicate the mass loss of 0.022% for SmBMn sub(2) O sub(5+ delta ). Density calculation shows the materials have about 85% relative density.