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.