Y and Ni Co-Doped BaZrO 3 as a Proton-Conducting Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrolyte Exhibiting Superior Power Performance

Abstract

© The Author(s) 2015. All rights reserved. The fabrication of anode supported single cells based on BaZr 0.8 Y 0.2 O 3-δ (BZY20) electrolyte is challenging due to its poor sinteractive nature. The acceleration of shrinkage behavior, improved sinterability and larger grain size were achieved by the partial substitution of Zr with Ni in the BZY perovskite. Phase pure Ni-doped BZY powders of nominal compositions BaZr 0.8-x Y 0.2 Ni x O 3-δ were synthesized up to x = 0.04 using a wet chemical combustion synthesis route. BaZr 0.76 Y 0.2 Ni 0.04 O 3-δ (BZYNi 04 ) exhibited adequate total conductivity and the open circuit voltage (OCV) values measured on the BZYNi 04 pellet suggested lack of significant electronic contribution. The improved sinterability of BZYNi 04 assisted the ease in film fabrication and this coupled with the application of an anode functional layer and a suitable cathode, PrBaCo 2 O 5+δ (PBCO), resulted in a superior fuel cell power performance. With humidified hydrogen and static air as the fuel and oxidant, respectively, a peak power density value of 428 and 240 mW cm -2 was obtained at 700 and 600°C, respectively.