Long term testing of BCZY-based protonic ceramic fuel cell PCFC: Micro-generation profile and reversible production of hydrogen and electricity

High performing and reliable 20 cm2 size protonic ceramic fuel cell has been elaborated by wet chemical routes (tape-casting and screen-printing) as following: Anode substrate NiO-BaCe0.8Zr0.1Y0.1O3-δ (BCZY81)/electrolyte BCZY81-ZnO (5 mol%)/cathode Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (BSCF) - BCZY81/current collector BSCF. The cell fabrication steps were optimized to achieve power density of 165 mW·cm− 2 at 600 °C for a potential E = 0.7 V. Finally, endurance test including dynamic (seasonal) power demand (micro-cogeneration profile) and reversible (electrolysis/fuel cell) cycles have been successfully performed during 3000 h. A low electrical degradation rate of δV = − 1.2%/kh under fuel cell power cycles revealed promising reliability behaviour of such cell under flexible energy services profiles.