Low-temperature protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells (PCMFCs) with SrCo0.9Sb0.1O3−δ cubic perovskite cathode

The SrCo0.9Sb0.1O3−δ (SCS) composite oxide with cubic perovskite structure was synthesized by a modified Pechini method and examined as a novel cathode for protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells (PCMFCs). At 700 °C and under open-circuit condition, symmetrical SCS cathode on BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3−δ (BZCY7) electrolyte showed low polarization resistances (Rp) of 0.22 Ωcm2 in air. A laboratory-sized tri-layer cell of NiO-BZCY7/BZCY7/SCS was operated from 500 to 700 °C with humidified hydrogen (∼3% H2O) as fuel and the static air as oxidant. A high open-circuit potential of 1.004 V, a maximum power density of 259 mW cm−2, and a low polarization resistance of the electrodes of 0.14 Ωcm2 was achieved at 700 °C.