Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2011
The sintering behavior and structural changes of fluorite Gd0.2Ce0.8O2-δ(GDC) with one of three perovskites: LaMnO3 (LMO), (La0.7Sr0.3)0.98MnO3 (LSM) and La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.8Co0.2O3 (LSFC) composite ceramics were studied. Sintering was carried out for two hours at five different temperatures: 1100°C, 1200°C, 1300°C, 1400°C, and 1500°C. The highest sinterability has been found in LSFC + GDC. LSM + GDC appear to undergo two-step sintering mechanisms. Of all types of ceramics, only sintered LMO experiences a phase change, from rhombohedral R C to orthorhombic Pnma structure, with respect to its powder phase at sintering temperatures ≥1200 °C. The transition is notably suppressed when LMO is part of an LMO + GDC composite. GDC in a fluorite and/perovskite composite, when sintered, undergoes a temperature-dependent expansion in its unit cell that is not observed in pure GDC ceramics. This structural change will impact the function of composite ceramics as a fuel cell cathode, or oxygen separation membranes.