Electrochemical synthesis and properties of ceria films grown on stainless steel

Abstract

Electrochemical synthesis of ceria films was performed on a stainless steel substrate in view of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) applications. Films were obtained from aqueous nitrate solutions via cathodic deposition method at room temperature. A constant potential value of –0.8 V/(SCE) was applied to reduce the molecular oxygen as hydroxide precursor, leading to a formation of adherent, homogeneous and covering films in 20 min deposition time. Structure, morphology and composition of asgrown coatings were studied by Xray diffraction, Raman and energydispersive Xray spectroscopy, as well as scanning electron micros copy. Cubic fluoritetype nanostructured ceria of leaflike particles was synthesized. Thermal annealing (600°C, 1 h) was found to enhance ceria crystallinity.