Depletion of fossil fuel at an alarming rate is a major concern of humankind. Consequently, researchers all over the world are putting a concerted effort for finding alternative and renewable energy. Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is one such system. SOFCs are electrochemical devices that have several advantages over conventional power generation systems like high efficiency of power generation, low emission of green house gases and the fuel flexibility. The major research focus of recent times is to reduce the operating temperature of SOFC in the range of 500 to 700 °C so as to render it commercially viable. This reduction in temperature is largely dependent on finding an electrolyte material with adequate oxygen ion conductivity at the intended operating temperature. One much material is Gadolinia doped Ceria (CGO) that shows very good oxygen ion conductivity at the intended operation temperature. The aim of this overview is to highlight the contribution that materials chemistry has made to the development of CGO as an electrolyte.
Anisotropic Proton and Oxygen Ion Conductivity in Epitaxial Ba2In2O5 Thin Films