D. Djurovic

Densification behaviour of nano-size CeO2

A nano-sized CeO2 powder was synthesized by a modified glycine nitrate process (MGNP). The synthesized powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), the Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) method, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The lattice parameter and crystallite size were determined by the Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction patterns. The shrinkage kinetics of the green body was continuously monitored in air and in oxygen atmospheres using a high temperature dilatometer up to 1500°C. During the high temperature sintering in air a redox reaction occurred (Ce4+ was partially reduced to Ce3+, and oxygen gas was released). The redox reaction influenced the sintering behaviour of CeO2, resulting in a decrease in density. On the basis of shrinkage kinetics data in oxygen atmosphere a master sintering curve for CeO2 was constructed. Using the concept of the master sintering curve, the densification behaviour in oxygen atmosphere was successfully predicted from early to final stages of sintering. During sintering of CeO2 at lower temperature in air atmosphere a significant contribution of the surface diffusion was observed.

Reaction of Ce1-xRexO2-δ Nanopowders Synthesis

One of the methods for powder synthesis that is both cost and time effective is the selfpropagating room temperature synthesis. We applied this method to synthesize rare earth doped ceria nanopowders. Since they exhibit very high ionic conductivity at intermediate temperatures these compositions are attractive for a new generation of nanostructured ceramics applicable in solid oxide fuel cells as electrolytes. In this paper we paid our attention to the reaction based on methathetical pathway, whereby solid solution nanopowders of rare earth elements with ceria were obtained at room temperature. Compositions of Ce1-xRexO2-δ (Re = Y , Nd) were synthesized with x ranging from 0 to 0.20. The reaction course is discussed and the properties of the obtained powders are presented.