Crater patterned 3-D proton conducting ceramic fuel cell architecture with ultra thin Y:BaZrO3 electrolyte

This paper reports the first successful operation of a 3-D crater patterned protonically conducting ceramic fuel cell architecture fabricated by a novel nonlithographic nanospherical patterning (NSP) method. Conformal layers of (~ 120 nm) yttria-doped barium zirconate (BYZ) anhydrous electrolyte membranes sandwiched between thin (~ 70 nm) sputtered porous Pt layers were fabricated. 3-D fuel cells achieved peak power densities of up to 186 mW/cm2 at 450 °C using hydrogen as fuel.

Research highlights► Fully functioning 3-D ceramic fuel cell architecture. ► MEMS free fabrication process. ► Nano-sphere patterning method. ► Pulsed laser deposition of Y-doped barium zirconate as an electrolyte ceramic material. ► Proton conducting ceramic fuel cell.