Stable, easily sintered BaCe_0.5Zr_0.3y _0.16Zn_0.04O_3-δ electrolyte-based protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells with Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Zn _0.2Fe_0.8O_3-δ perovskite cathode

Astable, easily sintered perovskite oxide BaCe_0.5Zr _0.3Ya_0.16Zn_0.04O_3-δ (BCZYZn) as an electrolyte for protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells (PCMFCs) with Ba _0.5Sr_0.5Zn_0.2Fe_0.8O _3-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 mWcm^-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.