Cerium Gadolinium Oxide
Gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC), also known as cerium gadolinium oxide (CGO), is a fluorite-structured mixed oxide engineered for the oxygen-ion-conducting layers of intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. Substituting a controlled fraction of trivalent gadolinium into the ceria lattice generates the oxygen vacancies responsible for GDC’s exceptional ionic conductivity, which surpasses that of yttria-stabilised zirconia at 500-700°C. Infinita Materials supplies GDC as a high-purity, submicron powder engineered for consistent sinterability across electrolyte, interlayer, and barrier-layer applications in SOFC and SOEC stacks. Available in both the GDC10 (Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95) and GDC20 (Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9) compositions, the material is produced under tight particle-size and phase-purity control to support reproducible thin-film and bulk ceramic processing. Each lot ships with a certificate of analysis documenting composition, particle size distribution, and surface area.
| Surface Area (m2/g) : | 10-15 |
| Particle size d50 (μm) : | <0.5 |
| Purity (%) : | >=99.9 |
Introduction to Cerium Gadolinium Oxide (GDC) Powder
Gadolinium-Doped Ceria (GDC, Ce₁₋ₓGdₓO₂₋ₓ/₂) is a fluorite-structured oxygen-ion conductor in which Gd³⁺ substitutes for Ce⁴⁺, generating oxygen vacancies that enable rapid oxide-ion transport. Common compositions include GDC10 (Ce₀.₉Gd₀.₁O₁.₉₅) and GDC20 (Ce₀.₈Gd₀.₂O₁.₉), with conductivity substantially higher than 8YSZ in the 500–700 °C range. However, partial Ce⁴⁺→Ce³⁺ reduction under fuel-side conditions introduces electronic conductivity, limiting GDC as a standalone electrolyte at higher temperatures. Supplied as fine, deagglomerated powder with controlled particle size and surface area, GDC supports tape casting, screen printing, and dry pressing. Applications include intermediate-temperature SOFC electrolytes and diffusion-barrier interlayers between YSZ electrolytes and LSCF cathodes.
FAQs
Introduction to Cerium Gadolinium Oxide (GDC) Powder
Gadolinium-Doped Ceria (GDC, Ce₁₋ₓGdₓO₂₋ₓ/₂) is a fluorite-structured oxygen-ion conductor in which Gd³⁺ substitutes for Ce⁴⁺, generating oxygen vacancies that enable rapid oxide-ion transport. Common compositions include GDC10 (Ce₀.₉Gd₀.₁O₁.₉₅) and GDC20 (Ce₀.₈Gd₀.₂O₁.₉), with conductivity substantially higher than 8YSZ in the 500–700 °C range. However, partial Ce⁴⁺→Ce³⁺ reduction under fuel-side conditions introduces electronic conductivity, limiting GDC as a standalone electrolyte at higher temperatures. Supplied as fine, deagglomerated powder with controlled particle size and surface area, GDC supports tape casting, screen printing, and dry pressing. Applications include intermediate-temperature SOFC electrolytes and diffusion-barrier interlayers between YSZ electrolytes and LSCF cathodes.
Key Properties of Cerium Gadolinium Oxide (GDC) Powder
| Property | Value | Significance |
|---|
| Chemical Formula | Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 (GDC10); Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9 (GDC20) | Defines the Gd3+ dopant level and the corresponding oxygen-vacancy concentration that governs ionic conductivity |
| Crystal Structure | Cubic fluorite, space group Fm-3m | Single-phase solid solution isostructural with CeO2; retains fluorite symmetry across the 10-20 mol% Gd doping range |
| Molar Mass | ~173.0 g/mol (GDC10); ~173.9 g/mol (GDC20) | Used for stoichiometric precursor batching and for interpreting TGA/dilatometry weight-change data |
| Theoretical Density | 7.2 – 7.3 g/cm3 | Benchmark for calculating relative sintered density; gas-tight electrolytes typically target >95% of this value |
| Particle Size (D50) | 0.1 – 0.5 μm (submicron grade) | Fine particle size lowers the sintering temperature needed to reach a dense, gas-tight electrolyte or interlayer film. |
| BET Surface Area | 10 – 15 m2/g | Higher surface area improves green-body packing and sinter reactivity, shortening required dwell times |
| Ionic Conductivity | ~0.01-0.03 S/cm at 500°C, rising to ~0.1-0.2 S/cm by 700-800°C | Exceeds YSZ conductivity across this range, the key property enabling intermediate-temperature SOFC operation |
| Purity | 99.5% – 99.9% (rare-earth basis); higher grades available | Low levels of silica and alkali impurities are required to avoid resistive glassy phases forming at grain boundaries |
Types & Grades of Cerium Gadolinium Oxide (GDC) Powder
Cerium Gadolinium Oxide (GDC) powder is offered in standard catalogue grades and particle size distributions, with custom purity, morphology, and packaging available for OEM and R&D use.
| Grade / Form | Typical Purity | Key Features / Uses |
|---|
| GDC10 (Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95) | 99.9% | Most widely used SOFC electrolyte and interlayer composition; optimal balance of conductivity and long-term phase stability |
| GDC20 / CGO82 (Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9) | 99.9% | Higher dopant level and vacancy concentration; used where maximum vacancy density or specific defect chemistry is required |
| Premium submicron powder (D50 <0.5 μm) | 99.9% – 99.99% | Deagglomerated fine powder for thin dense electrolyte films and diffusion-barrier interlayers, low sintering temperature |
| Standard/mid-grade powder (D50 ~1-5 μm) | 99.5% – 99.9% | Cost-effective grade for thicker electrolyte supports, bulk pellets, and general ceramic processing |
| Coarse tape-cast grade powder (D50 20-30 μm) | 99.5%+ | Formulated for tape-casting slurries and screen-printable inks requiring controlled rheology and shrinkage behaviour |
Applications of Cerium Gadolinium Oxide (GDC) Powder
Cerium Gadolinium Oxide (GDC) powder supports demanding roles across research and production applications where this material’s specific structural, electronic, magnetic, or electrochemical properties are the key requirement.
| Industry | Application | Function |
|---|
| Fuel Cells / Clean Energy | Intermediate-temperature SOFC electrolyte | Dense oxygen-ion-conducting membrane separating fuel and air electrodes at 500-700°C |
| Fuel Cells / Clean Energy | YSZ/LSCF barrier interlayer | Thin GDC layer prevents solid-state reaction between the zirconia electrolyte and cobaltite cathode during firing and operation. |
| Fuel Cells / Clean Energy | Anode-supported cell electrolyte film | Thin dense GDC layer screen-printed or spray-coated onto Ni-YSZ anode supports |
| Energy Storage / Electrolysis | Solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) electrolyte | Oxygen-ion transport medium for high-temperature steam and CO2 electrolysis |
| Catalysis | Oxygen-storage catalyst and support material | Reversible Ce4+/Ce3+ redox couple provides oxygen buffering capacity in automotive and industrial catalysts. |
| Sensors | Solid electrolyte for oxygen/gas sensors | High ionic conductivity at moderate temperature supports potentiometric gas-sensing elements. |
Why Partner with Infinita Materials?
- Technical Depth: in-house quality control with ICP-MS and XRF purity verification, particle size distribution and density measurement, and full certificates of analysis on every lot.
- Global Logistics: reliable supply from single R&D-scale quantities to production-line volumes, with established international shipping.
- Responsive Support: direct access to materials engineers for grade, particle size, and packaging selection, and process-compatibility questions.
Take the Next Step
Infinita Materials manufactures Cerium Gadolinium Oxide (GDC) powder engineered to the purity, particle size, and morphology your process requires. Whether the requirement is a standard catalogue grade or a custom particle size distribution, purity, or packaging format, our team can help match the right specification to your process. Request a quote or speak with our technical team to discuss your material specification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ce₀.₉Gd₀.₁O₂ suitable for portable applications?
Fuel cells based on Ce₀.₉Gd₀.₁O₂ are used in portable power systems because they are stable and reliable at intermediate temperatures. This type of energy provides clean and reliable power in off-grid or remote applications.
Can GDC be used as a standalone SOFC electrolyte, or only as an interlayer?
Both. In low- and intermediate-temperature SOFC designs, GDC is used directly as the primary electrolyte layer. In higher-temperature designs that retain a YSZ electrolyte for mechanical robustness, a thin GDC film is instead applied as a barrier interlayer between the YSZ and an LSCF or LSC cathode.
Cerium Gadolinium Oxide
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