Raman spectroscopy as a probe of temperature and oxidation state for gadolinium-doped ceria used in solid oxide fuel cells.

Raman spectroscopy is a noninvasive and highly sensitive analytical technique capable of identifying chemical compounds in environments that can mimic SOFC operating conditions. Here we demonstrate the use of Raman spectroscopy to perform local thermal and temporal measurements, both of which are essential if phase formation diagrams are to be mapped out and compared to thermodynamic phase stability predictions. We find that the time resolution of the Raman technique is more than sufficient to capture essential dynamic effects associated with a change of chemical composition.