Synthesis of Yttrium-Doped Barium Zirconate/Barium Cerate (BZY20/BCY20) Core-Shell Structured Proton-Conducting Solid Electrolyte via Modified Pechini Method

Abstract

Intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) operating at 400-700°C utilizes proton conducting electrolytes and are now being one of the focus of many research studies with regards to efficient, clean power sources and energy conversion. Potential electrolyte materials include acceptor-doped barium zirconates and barium cerates. In this study, preparation of a core-shell structured proton-conducting solid electrolytes of 20 vol% BaZr0.8Y0.2O3-δ (20BZY20) for the core and 80 vol% BaCe0.8Y0.2O3-δ (80BCY20) for the shell is done by wet chemistry route. The synthesized core-shell structured material (20BZY20/80BCY20) is developed to possibly address the problem of high grain boundary impedance of Y-doped BaZrO3 and low chemical stability of Y-doped BaCeO3. The obtained samples were characterized for its structure, thermal stability, morphology and elemental distribution of the material. At a lower sintering temperature of 1150°C, a densified pellet was obtained as observed by SEM analysis. The diffraction pattern of 20BZY20/80BCY20 powder shows two distinct phases corresponding to BZY20 and BCY20 suggesting a successful synthesis of the core-shell solid electrolyte.