Evaluation of BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3-δ electrolyte prepared by carbonate precipitation for a mixed ion-conducting SOFC

Potential of BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3-δ (BZCY) electrolyte prepared by ammonium carbonate coprecipitation was investigated for application in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). An 8 μm thick BZCY electrolyte layer was deposited on a porous Ni-BZCY anode. A slurry mixture of BZCY-LaSr3Co1.5Fe1.5O10-δ (LSCF) was used as the cathode. The ionic conductivities of the BZCY electrolyte were 5.0 × 10−2 and 1.8 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 750 and 550 °C, respectively, and the conduction activation energy was 0.42 eV. A fabricated single cell exhibited excellent maximum power densities of 1.39 Wcm−2 at 750 °C and 0.72 Wcm−2 at 600 °C using hydrogen as fuel. Further the cell was also exposed to CH4 (70%) and CO2 (30%) in the anode side as fuel. Under biogas the maximum power densities were 0.79 W cm−2 at 750 °C and 0.28 W cm−2 at 600 °C. The characteristics of the electrolyte were quantified by measuring the total conductivities across a range of temperatures.