Highly controlled thermal behavior of a conjugated gadolinia-doped ceria nanoparticles synthesized by particle-dispersed glycine-nitrate process

Gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) has emerged as one of the most essential component materials for next-generation solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The refractory nature of GDC has been a major hurdle for its successful implementation, and precise control of the thermal behavior is crucial. Here, we report a particle-dispersed glycine-nitrate process (PD-GNP) that leads to the formation of fast-sintering nanoparticles uniformly conjugated to the surface of slow-sintering inclusion particles. The independent regulation of nanoparticles and sintering aids based on in situ co-assembly process enables precise control over the individual stages of the sintering process and grain growth, resulting in complete densification at desired temperatures. This work highlights a simple and cost-effective way to produce exquisitely tailored GDC nanopowder for specific purposes in the manufacturing of SOFCs; furthermore, it expands opportunities to effectively exploit nanotechnology in the fabrication of a wide range of multilayer ceramic devices.