LSO Apatite-YSZ composite as a Solid Electrolyte for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

LSO (Lanthanun Silicate Oxide) Apatite-YSZ (Yttria-stabilized zirconia) composite has been synthesized by combining the LSO apatite with commercial YSZ with different composition ratio (LSO Apatite: YSZ = 60: 40wt.% and 50: 50 wt. %). Structure, morphology, and conductivity of sintered pellets composite (sintered at 1330 degrees C for 3 hours) were characterized by XRD, SEM, and impedance spectroscopy, respectively. The sintered density of the composite materials with 50: 50 wt. % and 60:40 wt. % (apatite: YSZ) ratios were 3.785 g.cm(-3) and 3.770 g.cm(-3), respectively. The typical peak of LSO and YSZ were observed in the X-ray pattern of the composite materials. The conductivity of the LSO apatite : YSZ composite 50:50wt. % and 60:40 wt. % ratios showed high level of ionic conductivities with values of 1.26 x 10(-3) S/cm and 1.60 x 10(-4) S/cm, respectively, with very low level of activation energy (0.95-1.02 eV) at 700 degrees C These results indicate that the LSO-YSZ composite materials are good conductors that can be used as solid electrolyte in SOFC applications.