Nano-crystalline gadolinium-doped ceria (Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 (GDC)) powders prepared by different routes such as a co-precipitation method (COP), a glycine-nitrate-process (GNP) and a sol-gel thermolysis process (STP) resulted in different powder properties. In order to find out the effect of powder properties on sinterability, dilatometric studies were carried out on these powders. Dilatometric studies revealed a pronounced correlation between powder properties and the sintering behavior. Along with crystallite size and surface area, agglomerate size also played an important role in achieving a high sintered density at relatively low sintering temperature.

Keywords: Powders-chemical preparation, Sintering, Sol-gel processes, CeO2, Fuel Cells.