A stable BaCeO3-based proton conductor for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

BaCe1-xGaxO3-delta (x=0.1, 0.2) and BaCe0.8Y0.2O3 (BCY) powders are successfully synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. According to thermal gravity analysis in the atmosphere of CO2, BaCe0.9Ga0.1O3-delta (BCG10) and BaCe0.8Ga0.2O3-delta (BCG20) are quite stable while BaCeO3 shows obvious reaction and decomposes into CeO2 and BaCO3. A fuel cell with electrolyte of BaCe0.8Ga0.2O3-delta is prepared by a suspension spray combining with in situ sintering method and tested from 600 to 700 degrees C with humidified hydrogen (similar to 3% H2O) as the fuel and the static air as the oxidant. An open-circuit potential of 0.99V and a maximum power density of 236 mW cm(-2) are obtained for the single cell with an interface resistance 0.32 Omega cm(2) at 700 degrees C. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.