A facile method to synthesize BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3-d (BZCYYb) nanopowders for the application on highly conductive proton- conducting electrolytes

BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3-d (BZCYYb), one kind of promising electrolyte materials for proton -conducting solid oxide fuel cells (H+-SOFCs), generally suffers from the poor sinter -ability, leading to poor electrochemical performances lower than expected. Herein, a facile method, modified room temperature solid-state reaction (M-RTSSR) was proposed for synthesizing highly active BZCYYb nanopowders. Pure perovskite BZCYYb powders can be obtained at a low calcination temperature of 950 degrees C and a short dwelling time of 3 h. The highly active character allows the sintering temperature of BZCYYb electrolytes decrease from 1550 degrees C to 1450 degrees C, thus effectively suppressing the Ba evaporation and promoting the grain growth. The electrical conductivity measured at 700 degrees C in wet air is 2.6 x 10(-2) S cm(-1), which mainly benefits from the improvement of grain boundary conductivity. According to the analysis based on space charge layers, the enhanced electrical performance can be ascribed to their lower space charge potential (Delta(phi)4 (0)) and higher impurity blocking item (u/ d(g)). Finally, the anode-supported single cell with such BZCYYb electrolytes reaches a peak power density of 0.54 W cm(-2) at 700 degrees C while taking humid H-2 (similar to 3 vol% H2O) as fuels and ambient air as oxidants. (c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a modified room temperature solid-state reaction method was proposed to synthesize highly active BZCYYb nanopowders. The highly active character of the nanopowders allowed for a lower sintering temperature, increased electrical conductivity, and a higher peak power density in the single cell experiment.