Preparation and evaluation of BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ (BZCYYb) electrolyte and BZCYYb-based solid oxide fuel cells

BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ (BZCYYb) electrolyte powders are prepared by ammonium carbonate coprecipitation. Crystalline fine powders with a pure perovskite phase are obtained by the calcination of the precursor powders at 1000 °C. The relative densities of the sample pellets sintered at 1400 and 1500 °C for 5 h are 96.5 and 97.9% (% of theoretical), respectively. The electrical conductivities of the BZCYYb electrolytes exhibit high values of 1.9 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 500 °C and 7.4 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 750 °C with an activation energy of 0.45 eV. An anode-supported cell is also fabricated from the synthesized BZCYYb electrolyte using spin coating. A dense, crack-free 10-μm-thick electrolyte film has been successfully fabricated. The fabricated single cell exhibits promising performance, with maximum power densities of 1.0 W cm−2 at 750 °C and 0.23 W cm−2 at 500 °C.

► Crystalline powders of BZCYYb with a high sintering activity were prepared by coprecipitation.
► The BZCYYb sample sintered at 1500 °C for 5 h exhibited a relative density of 98%.
► The ionic conductivities of the BZCYYb were 7.4 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 750 °C and 1.9 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 500 °C.
►  An anode-supported cell based on the BZCYYb exhibited a maximum power density of 1.0 W cm−2 at 750 °C.