Stable, easily sintered BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.16Zn0.04O3−δ electrolyte-based protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells with Ba0.5Sr0.5Zn0.2Fe0.8O3−δ perovskite cathode

A stable, easily sintered perovskite oxide BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.16Zn0.04O3−δ (BCZYZn) as an electrolyte for protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells (PCMFCs) with Ba0.5Sr0.5Zn0.2Fe0.8O3−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 mW cm−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.