Ce0.9Gd0.1O2−δ (GDC)/Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ (BSCF) nanocomposites were fabricated by a conventional power processing technique from a commercially available GDC and a BSCF powder prepared in-house. The BSCF was synthesized via the glycine-nitrate process (GNP). XRD analysis indicated that the GDC was found to be compatible with the BSCF at a sintering temperature of 1150 oC. Dense GDC/BSCF nanocomposites having a relative density above 95% could be obtained when a green compact of BSCF and GDC powder mixture was sintered at 1150 oC for 5 h. GDC particles were found to be homogeneously dispersed in the BSCF matrix and some smaller GDC particles less than a few hundred nm in size were incorporated inside the large BSCF grains. The grain size of the BSCF was decreased by an addition of the GDC, suggesting the GDC can hinder the grain growth of the BSCF.

Keywords: Oxygen ion transport membrane, Perovskite, BSCF, Mixed ionic and electronic conductor.