Abstract

• CuO-MnO2-ZnO (CMZO) mixed oxide was prepared by solid state reaction for the purpose of low temperature solid oxide fuel cell (LTSOFC) applications. Solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) promise high efficiencies in a range of fuels. CuO–MnO2–ZnO mixed oxides with different Cu : Mn : Zn atomic ratios were obtained at 200oC, 300oC, 400oC and 500oC in 1 h. The change in the annealing temperature had a significant influence on the structural, surface morphology and optical properties. Powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray diffraction spectroscopy confirm the phase purity and the particle size of CMZO mixed oxide. Based on optical absorbance measurements, it was shown that CMZO with higher annealing temperature were characterized by a higher cut-off wavelength and lower optical band gap energy.