Issue 18, 2024

Modelling bulk and surface characteristics of cubic CeO2, Gd2O3, and gadolinium-doped ceria using a partial charge framework

Abstract

The development and characterization of materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) is an important step towards sustainable energy technologies. This present study models cubic CeO2, Gd2O3, and gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) using newly constructed interaction potentials based on a partial atom charge framework. The interaction model was validated by comparing the structural properties with experimental reference data, which were found to be in good agreement. Validation of the potential model was conducted considering the surface stability of CeO2 and Gd2O3. Additionally, the accuracy of the novel potential model was assessed by comparing the oxygen diffusion coefficient in GDCn (n = 4–15) and the associated activation energy. The results demonstrate that the novel potential model is capable of describing the oxygen diffusion in GDC. In addition, this study compares the vibrational properties of the bulk with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, using a harmonic frequency analysis that avoids the need for computationally expensive quantum mechanical molecular dynamics (QM MD) simulations. The potential is compatible with a reactive water model, thus providing a framework for the simulation of solid–liquid interfaces.

Graphical abstract: Modelling bulk and surface characteristics of cubic CeO2, Gd2O3, and gadolinium-doped ceria using a partial charge framework

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
17 Oct 2023
Accepted
05 Apr 2024
First published
12 Apr 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024,26, 13814-13825

Modelling bulk and surface characteristics of cubic CeO2, Gd2O3, and gadolinium-doped ceria using a partial charge framework

J. M. Gallmetzer, J. Gamper, F. R. S. Purtscher and T. S. Hofer, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2024, 26, 13814 DOI: 10.1039/D3CP05053J

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