Cerium Samarium Oxide
Samarium-doped ceria (SDC) is a fluorite-structured oxide powder engineered for the electrolytes and interlayers of next-generation solid oxide fuel cells. By substituting samarium into the ceria lattice, Infinita Materials produces a mixed oxide with substantially higher oxygen-ion conductivity than conventional yttria-stabilised zirconia at intermediate temperatures, opening the door to lower-cost stack materials, faster startup, and longer system life. Supplied as a fine, sinter-active powder, this SDC grade is engineered for tape casting, screen printing, and spray coating of thin electrolyte and barrier films. Whether specified as a standalone low-temperature electrolyte or as a protective interlayer beneath an LSCF cathode, this material is manufactured to the phase purity and particle size control that intermediate-temperature fuel cell and electrolyser developers require.
Introduction to Cerium Samarium Oxide (SDC) Powder
Samarium-Doped Ceria (SDC, Ce₁₋ₓSmₓO₂₋ₓ/₂) is an acceptor-doped fluorite oxide in which Sm³⁺ substitutes for Ce⁴⁺, generating oxygen vacancies that enable rapid oxide-ion transport. The commonly used SDC20 composition, Ce₀.₈Sm₀.₂O₁.₉, provides high ionic conductivity in the 500–700 °C range, while SDC10 (Ce₀.₉Sm₀.₁O₁.₉₅) offers an alternative balance of conductivity and stability. Under reducing conditions, partial Ce⁴⁺→Ce³⁺ reduction introduces electronic conductivity, limiting SDC as a standalone electrolyte at higher temperatures. Supplied as fine powder with controlled particle size and surface area, SDC supports dense electrolyte fabrication and thin interlayers. Applications include intermediate-temperature SOFCs, solid-oxide electrolysis cells, and cathode-side barrier layers that improve compatibility between YSZ electrolytes and LSCF-type cathodes.
FAQs
Question: Can SDC be used as the only electrolyte in a solid oxide fuel cell?
Answer: Yes, in low- and intermediate-temperature cells operating below roughly 600 degrees C, where the reducing atmosphere on the fuel side does not significantly reduce Ce4+ to Ce3+. At higher temperatures with direct fuel exposure, partial electronic conductivity from cerium reduction can create an internal short-circuit path that lowers open-circuit voltage and efficiency, so SDC is more often paired with a YSZ electrolyte as a thin cathode-side interlayer in that regime.
Introduction to Cerium Samarium Oxide (SDC) Powder
Samarium-Doped Ceria (SDC, Ce₁₋ₓSmₓO₂₋ₓ/₂) is an acceptor-doped fluorite oxide in which Sm³⁺ substitutes for Ce⁴⁺, generating oxygen vacancies that enable rapid oxide-ion transport. The commonly used SDC20 composition, Ce₀.₈Sm₀.₂O₁.₉, provides high ionic conductivity in the 500–700 °C range, while SDC10 (Ce₀.₉Sm₀.₁O₁.₉₅) offers an alternative balance of conductivity and stability. Under reducing conditions, partial Ce⁴⁺→Ce³⁺ reduction introduces electronic conductivity, limiting SDC as a standalone electrolyte at higher temperatures. Supplied as fine powder with controlled particle size and surface area, SDC supports dense electrolyte fabrication and thin interlayers. Applications include intermediate-temperature SOFCs, solid-oxide electrolysis cells, and cathode-side barrier layers that improve compatibility between YSZ electrolytes and LSCF-type cathodes.
Key Properties of Cerium Samarium Oxide (SDC) Powder
| Property | Value | Significance |
|---|
| Chemical Formula | Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (20 mol% Sm2O3-doped ceria) | Defines the fluorite solid-solution stoichiometry and the resulting oxygen-vacancy concentration that governs ionic conductivity |
| CAS Number | Not established (doped solid-solution powder; no dedicated CAS assigned) | Should not be confused with CAS 12060-58-1, which belongs to samarium(III) oxide (Sm2O3) alone, not the mixed cerium-samarium oxide |
| Molar Mass | ~172.1 g/mol (Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 basis) | Used for stoichiometric batching and slurry formulation calculations in tape casting and screen printing |
| Purity | 99.5% – 99.9% (rare-earth and transition-metal impurity basis), custom on request | Higher purity reduces grain-boundary impurity segregation that can block oxide-ion transport across grain boundaries. |
| Theoretical Density | ~7.2 g/cm3 crystallographic; ~6.9-7.2 g/cm3 typical reported range | Sets the target for achievable sintered (relative) density needed for a gas-tight electrolyte or interlayer film |
| Particle Size (D50) | 0.1-0.5 um standard grades; 5-20 nm primary crystallite size for nanopowder grades | Finer particle size lowers achievable sintering temperature and supports thinner, denser films. |
| Specific Surface Area (BET) | 10-15 m2/g standard powder; up to >100 m2/g nanopowder grades | Higher surface area increases sinter activity and reactivity but requires tighter dispersant/binder control in slurries |
| Crystal Structure | Cubic fluorite, space group Fm-3m | Same fluorite family as YSZ and gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC), supporting co-sintering and compatible thermal expansion in layered cells |
Types & Grades of Cerium Samarium Oxide (SDC) Powder
Cerium Samarium Oxide (SDC) 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 |
|---|
| SDC10 – Ce0.9Sm0.1O1.95 | 99.5% | 10 mol% Sm2O3 doping; favours phase and dimensional stability over peak conductivity, used where mechanical robustness is prioritised |
| SDC20 Premium Electrolyte Powder – Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 | 99.9% | The most widely specified electrolyte-grade composition; optimised doping level for maximum oxide-ion conductivity in IT-SOFC electrolytes |
| SDC20 Mid-Grade Powder | 99.5% | Cost-reduced purity tier for prototyping, screening studies, and non-critical R&D cells |
| SDC Tape-Cast Grade Powder | 99.9% | Controlled particle size distribution and organic-compatible surface chemistry tailored for tape casting of thin, dense electrolyte and interlayer films |
| SDC Nanopowder | 99.9% | 5-20 nm primary crystallite size, BET surface area >100 m2/g; enables thin conformal interlayers via spin- or spray-coating with lower sintering temperatures |
Applications of Cerium Samarium Oxide (SDC) Powder
Cerium Samarium Oxide (SDC) 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 | Electrolyte for low- and intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells | Provides high oxide-ion conductivity at 500-700 degrees C, allowing lower stack operating temperatures than conventional YSZ-based cells |
| Fuel Cells / Clean Energy | Cathode-side interlayer between YSZ electrolyte and LSCF cathode | Acts as a diffusion barrier that blocks Zr-La-Sr solid-state reactions, preventing formation of resistive La2Zr2O7/SrZrO3 phases at the interface |
| Hydrogen Production | Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) electrolyte and interlayers | Delivers efficient oxide-ion transport for high-temperature steam/CO2 electrolysis at reduced operating temperature |
| Automotive Emissions Control | Three-way catalyst support and oxygen storage component | Samarium doping enhances oxygen mobility and Ce3+/Ce4+ redox cycling used for oxygen buffering in exhaust catalysis |
| Sensors | Solid-state oxygen and combustible gas sensors | High oxygen-vacancy concentration gives fast, sensitive ionic response to changes in oxygen partial pressure. |
| Materials Research | Mixed ionic-electronic conductor (MIEC) and defect chemistry studies | Serves as a model doped-fluorite system for studying grain-boundary conduction, dopant-vacancy association, and partial electronic conductivity |
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 Samarium Oxide (SDC) 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
Can SDC be used as the only electrolyte in a solid oxide fuel cell?
Yes, in low- and intermediate-temperature cells operating below roughly 600 degrees C, where the reducing atmosphere on the fuel side does not significantly reduce Ce4+ to Ce3+. At higher temperatures with direct fuel exposure, partial electronic conductivity from cerium reduction can create an internal short-circuit path that lowers open-circuit voltage and efficiency, so SDC is more often paired with a YSZ electrolyte as a thin cathode-side interlayer in that regime.
Cerium Samarium Oxide
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