Shahzad Hossain

Synthesis and Investigation of the Structural Properties of Al3+ Doped Mg Ferrites

The polycrystalline ferrites of MgAlxFe2-xO4 (0.0≤x≤0.4) were prepared by the conventional solid state ceramic method. The specimens were sintered at 13500C and X-ray diffraction experiments were done at room temperature which showed single phased cubic spinel structure. The lattice parameters were determined from the XRD data using Nelson-Riley extrapolation method and found to decrease with increasing Al concentration obeying Vegard’s law. The cation distribution and oxygen position parameters have also been determined by refining the data using the RIETAN-2000 in the Rietveld method which reveals that the samples possess cubic symmetry corresponding to the space group Fd-3m. The X-ray density and bulk density of each sample were calculated using the lattice parameters. The porosity has been determined from X-ray density (ρx) and bulk density (ρB) and it changes monotonically with Al content.

Synthesis and Characterization of Sm1-xZrxFe1-yMgyO3 (x, y = 0.5, 0.7, 0.9) as Possible Electrolytes for SOFCs

The novel perovskite oxide series of Sm1-xZrxFe1-yMgyO3 (x,y = 0.5, 0.7, 0.9) were synthesized by solid state reaction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and conductivity analysis were carried out. XRD patterns of sintered materials revealed the shifted Bragg reflection to higher angle for the higher content of Zr and Mg. This is related to the ionic size of the dopant elements. Rietveld refinement showed that all compounds crystallized in cubic space group of Fm-3m. SEM images showed that the grains were well defined with highly dense surfaces makes it potential as an electrolyte material in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) or gases sensors. Impedance spectroscopy at 550-800 °C shows that conductivity is higher at higher temperature. Sm0.5Zr0.5Fe0.5Mg0.5O3 shows the highest conductivity of 5.451 × 10-3 S cm-1 at 800 °C. It was observed that 50% molar ratio of Mg and Zr doping performed highest conductivity.

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

New layered perovskite oxides with samarium (Sm+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). Sm0.5Ba0.5MnO3-δ and SmBMn2O5+δ, 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 SmBMn2O5+δ. Density calculation shows the materials have about 85% relative density.