High performance of proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cell with a layered PrBaCo2O5+delta cathode

A dense BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3-delta (BZCY) electrolyte is fabricated on a porous anode by in situ drop-coating method which can lead to extremely thin electrolyte membrane (similar to 10 mu m in thickness). The layered perovskite structure oxide PrBaCo2O5-delta (PBCO) is synthesized by auto ignition process and initially examined as a cathode for proton-conducting IT-SOFCs. The electrical conductivity of PrBaCo2O5-delta (PBCO) reaches the general required value for the electrical conductivity of cathode absolutely. The single cell, consisting of PrBaCo2O5-delta (PBCO)/BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3-delta (BZCY)/NiO-BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3-delta (BZCY) structure, is assembled and tested from 600 to 700 degrees C with humidified hydrogen (similar to 3% H2O) as the fuel and air as the oxidant. An open-circuit potential of 1.01 V and a maximum power density of 545 mW cm(-2) at 700 degrees C are obtained for the single cell, and a low polarization resistance of the electrodes of 0.15 Omega cm(2) is achieved at 700 degrees C. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.