A high-performance reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cell based on a novel Sm-doped BaCe0·7Zr0·1Y0·2O3-δ electrolyte

• Published in: Journal of power sources 2019-11, Vol.439 (C), p.227093, Article 227093
• Main Authors: Meng, Yuqing, Gao, Jun, Huang, Hua, Zou, Minda, Duffy, Jack, Tong, Jianhua, Brinkman, Kyle S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrolysis; Intermediate temperature; Proton ceramic
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.227093

The present work describes a doping strategy to improve the electrochemical performance of BaCe(Zr)O3-based reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (RePCECs). BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.2-xSmxO3-δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) synthesized by a solid-state reactive sintering method. Enhanced sintering with Sm-doping is observed with a significant increase of grain size as compared to un-doped samples. The improvement of the proton conductivity by proper Sm-doping is also achieved. This work fabricates and tests an electrochemical cell with a 25 μm thick electrolyte in both protonic ceramic fuel cell (PCFC) and protonic ceramic electrolysis cell (PCEC) operation modes. At the intermediate temperature of 600 °C, a maximum power density of 410 mWcm−2 is observed in PCFC mode under Air/H2 gradient, while a current density of 370 mAcm−2 is obtained with an applied voltage of 1.3 V in PCEC mode using 12 vol% H2O humidified air as feed gas and 5% H2 as sweep gas. •Utilized Sm-doping to enhance processing and improve proton conductivity.•Tested cells in protonic fuel cell (PCFC) and electrolysis cell (PCEC) operation.•Maximum power density of 410 mWcm−2 is observed in PCFC at 600 °C.•Current density of 370 mAcm−2 with an applied voltage of 1.3 V in PCEC mode.