Material characteristics of coral reef like NiO@Co and Cu dual doped ceria nanocomposite anodes for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells

A simple wet hydrothermal method was used to fabricate coral reef-like NiO-Ce1−x−yCoxCuyO2−δ nanocrystalline anode materials (x = y = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20) for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LTSOFCs). The synthesized materials were systematically characterized using TGA, XRD, FTIR, EDAX, SEM, and HR-TEM. TGA determined suitable calcination temperatures, while XRD confirmed the coexistence of FCC NiO and Co/Cu-doped FCC CeO2 phases. FTIR peaks at 556.88 and 830 cm− 1 corresponded to Ce–O and Ni–O stretching vibrations. EDAX validated the expected elemental composition, and SEM / HR-TEM showed coral reef-like porous structures. SAED patterns were consistent with XRD results. Sintering studies were carried out until 700 °C. Among the compositions, NiO–Ce0.80Co0.10Cu0.10O2−δ exhibited superior electrochemical performance, with conductivity reaching 0.18221 S·cm− 1 at 540 °C and an activation energy of 0.5115 eV. The dielectric constant increased with temperature across different frequencies, making this material a promising alternative anode for LTSOFCs.