Electrochemical performance of BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ electrolyte based proton-conducting SOFC solid oxide fuel cell with layered perovskite PrBaCo2O5+δ cathode

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2011-03, Vol.196 (5), p.2602-2607
• Main Authors: Ding, Hanping, Xie, Yuanyuan, Xue, Xingjian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; catalysis (heterogeneous), energy storage (including batteries and capacitors), hydrogen and fuel cells, mechanical behavior, charge transport, membrane, carbon sequestration, materials and chemistry by design, synthesis (novel materials), synthesis (self-assembly), synthesis (scalable processing); Cathode; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Layered perovskite; Polarization resistance; Solid oxide fuel cells
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.10.069

▶ BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ (BZCYYb) as electrolyte exhibits high conductivity as well as sufficient chemical stability over a wide range of SOFC practical operating conditions, while layered perovskite PrBaCo2O5+δ (PBCO) has advanced oxygen reduction ability. This research fully takes advantage of these advanced properties and develops a novel protonic ceramic membrane fuel cell (PCMFC) of Ni–BZCYYb|BZCYYb|PBCO. The results show that the maximal power density of 490mWcm−2 and the electrode polarization resistance of 0.11Ωcm2 were achieved at 700°C. ▶ The polarization processes of the button cell were characterized using the complicated electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. The results indicate that the polarization resistances contributed from both charge migration processes and mass transfer processes increase with decreasing cell voltage loads. However the polarization resistance induced by mass transfer processes is negligible in the studied button cell. ▶ By co-doping barium zirconate-cerate with Y and Yb, the conductivity of electrolyte was significantly improved. BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ (BZCYYb) exhibits adequate protonic conductivity as well as sufficient chemical and thermal stability over a wide range of SOFC operating conditions, while layered perovskite PrBaCo2O5+δ (PBCO) has advanced electrochemical properties. This research fully takes advantage of these advanced properties and develops a novel protonic ceramic membrane fuel cell (PCMFC) of Ni–BZCYYb|BZCYYb|PBCO. The performance of the button cell was tested under intermediate-temperature range from 600 to 700°C with humified H2 (∼3% H2O) as fuel and ambient air as oxidant. The results show that the open circuit potential of 0.983V and the maximal power density of 490mWcm−2 were achieved at 700°C. By co-doping barium zirconate–cerate with Y and Yb, the conductivity of electrolyte was significantly improved. The polarization processes of the button cell were characterized using the complicated electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. The results indicate that the polarization resistances contributed from both charge migration processes and mass transfer processes increase with decreasing cell voltage loads. However the polarization resistance induced by mass transfer processes is negligible in the studied button cell.