Preparation, characterization and application of BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3-δ for a high-performance and stable proton ceramic electrochemical cell

Abstract

The high sintering temperature (＞1500 °C) of the electrolyte is the main challenge for the application of proton ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs). In this work, we prepare BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3-δ (BZCY) electrolyte materials by various synthetic routes, compare their physicochemical properties and optimize their applications in PCEC. The BZCYs powder prepared by the solid state reaction method shows a large grain size of 2–3 μm and is used in the support layer. The optimal proportion of the support is determined according to the thermal expansion characterization. The BZCYp powder from the ultrasonic-assisted co-precipitation method presents well dispersed particles of 30∼50 nm and is used as the electrolyte layer and in the fuel electrode layer. The electrolyte becomes very dense after co-sintering with the support at 1400 °C without any sintering aids, giving a low conducting activation energy of 0.26 eV. The single cell demonstrates excellent performance and good stability. Under steam electrolysis mode, the cell gives 840 and 260 mAcm−2 @1.3V at 600 °C and 500 °C. Under cell mode, the cell displays 0.46 and 0.21Wcm−2@0.7V at 600 °C and 500 °C, respectively.