Physico- Chemical Effects of Block Copolymer of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Glycol (Pluronic F-127) on Samarium Doped Ceria (Ce0.8Sm0.2O2) Perovskite As Electrolyte for Low Temperature SOFC Application

Sol-gel technique was adapted, and the templating characteristics of Pluronic F-127 surfactant was introduced to produce porous samarium doped ceria (SDC) nanoparticles as electrolyte. The electrolyte material was calcined at 800 °C and this material was analysed for its crystalline, microstructural and electrochemical properties. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to analyse the crystalline nanostructure, morphology and microstructure of the material. The electrochemical properties were characterised by using Kittec Squadro SOFC testing equipment with air and hydrogen as gases used. Our results show that the nature of the surfactant influenced the particle morphology, pore diameter, pore size, crystallite size, surface area and the electrochemical properties.