High-conductivity electrolyte with a low sintering temperature for solid oxide fuel cells

Bismuth oxide and scandia co-doped zirconia (Sc2O3)(0.06)(Bi2O3)(x)(ZrO2)(0.94-x) (ScSZB, x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, 0.1) powders are prepared via a citrate sol-gel method. Bi2O3 promotes the sintering process of scandia stabilized zirconia (ScSZ) and increases electrical conductivity of system. A high conductivity of similar to 0.094 S/cm at 800 degrees C is achieved on 5 mol% Bi2O3 doped ScSZ (ScSZB05). X-ray Rietveld refinement and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis of the ScSZB05 reveal the formation of cubic phase and rhombohedral phase at room temperature. The electrolyte-supported cell constructed by the ScSZ electrolyte gives the maximum power density of 258.3 mW/cm(2) at 800 degrees C, while the cell with ScSZB05 electrolyte shows a higher value of 387.6 mW/cm(2). The performance obtained by theoretical simulation of the two electrolyte-supported cells is in good agreement with the experimental results. (C) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Bismuth oxide and scandia co-doped zirconia powders were prepared via a citrate sol-gel method. The addition of Bi2O3 promoted the sintering process and increased the electrical conductivity of scandia stabilized zirconia. The resulting material exhibited high power density in electrolyte-supported cells.