Stable, easily sintered BaCe0.5Zr0.3y 0.16Zn0.04O3-δ electrolyte-based protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells with Ba0.5Sr0.5Zn 0.2Fe0.8O3-δ perovskite cathode

Abstract

Astable, easily sintered perovskite oxide BaCe0.5Zr 0.3Ya0.16Zn0.04O3-δ (BCZYZn) as an electrolyte for protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells (PCMFCs) with Ba 0.5Sr0.5Zn0.2Fe0.8O 3-δ (BSZF) perovskite cathode was investigated. The BCZYZn perovskite electrolyte synthesized by a modified Pechini method exhibited higher sinterability and reached 97.4% relative density at 1200°C for 5 h in air, which is about 200°C lower than that without Zn dopant. By fabricating thin membrane BCZYZn electrolyte (about 30 μm in thickness) on NiO-BCZYZn anode support, PCMFCs were assembled and tested by selecting stable BSZF perovskite cathode. An open-circuit potential of 1.00 V, a maximum power density of 236 mWcm-2, and a low polarization resistance of the electrodes of 0.17 Ω cm2 were achieved at 700°C. This investigation indicated that proton conducting electrolyte BCZYZn with BSZF perovskite cathode is a promising material system for the next generation solid oxide fuel cells. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.