Effect of nickel oxide - Modified BaCe0.54Zr0.36Y0.1O2.95 as composite anode on the performance of proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cell

Abstract

The effect of NiO-m-BCZY64 (BCZY64 = BaCe0.54Zr0.36Y0.1O2.95) as a composite anode with a single anode functional layer (AFL) and gradient AFL on the performance of a button cell was systematically evaluated. The m-BCZY64 is referred to the pristine BCZY64 that was modified by a functionalized activated carbon derived from palm-oil empty fruit bunch (EFB). The electrochemical performance of the cell was investigated by impedance spectroscopy in a controlled atmosphere. The NiO-m-BCZY64 exhibited smaller grain size and homogenous elemental distribution compared to pristine NiO-BCZY64 as observed by SEM/EDX. At T = 800 °C, a button cell consists of NiO:m-BCZY64 with gradient AFL showed the best performance with total resistance (RT) of 21.12 Ωcm2 compared to the cell with single AFL (RT = 86.04 Ωcm2) and pristine NiO-BCZY64 (RT = 145.64 Ωcm2). The significant reduction of RT indicates that the NiO:m-BCZY64 with gradient AFL showed high potential to be used as a composite anode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells.