Composite electrolyte used for low temperature SOFCs to work at 390°C

•A novel composite electrolyte was fabricated on line•Excellent performance below 400°C, 634 mW cm−2 at 450°C and 200 370°C•In situ formation of amorphous BaCO3 is conducive to interface conduction•The proton conduction activation energy the YSZ-BZY 0.41eV A combination yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) Ba(NO3)2 commercial powders used as electrolytes in construction symmetrical SOFC. As X-ray diffraction pattern Raman spectra revealed, YSZ-Ba(NO3)2 converted into YSZ yttrium-doped barium zirconate (BZY) hydrogen atmosphere. The power maximum (Pmax) based fuel cell can reach 634.06 450°C. Notly, Pmax evenly maintain 300 operational temperature reduced 390°C. outstanding low indicate excellent ion conductivity electrolyte. promising originated from BZY, oxygen YSZ, enhanced through transport. Our work demonstrates that developed holds enormous potential for LT-SOFCs. 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Exploiting deliver output 400°C should simplify preparation process significantly cost.Table 1Electrolytes yearsElectrolyteWorking (°C)Fuel (mW/cm2)Ionic (S/cm)SCDC-NCAL18Zhang Scholar500460450400400360SDC-LSCO419Yuan Scholar450386SDC-SSC20Deng Scholar5005000.1554753670.114LiNiO2-GDC21Zhu Scholar500350450300400250BCFZY-ZnO22Xia Scholar5004790.2604503004001890.110SDC-Li0.5ZnO23Fan Scholar500480450401Hematite−LCP24Xia Scholar500490450386LCP-ZnO25Feng Scholar500500475300 Open tab work, (YSZ-BZY) successfully demonstrated 390°C, motivated ideas presented above. sandwiched middle Ni-NCAL (Ni0.8Co0.15Al0.05LiO2-δ) assemble cell. Various characterizations systematically cell’s properties. findings demonstrate Figure 1 SEM images as-prepared powders. 1A shown, particle size ranges hundreds nm μm irregular shape, obviously morphological features uneven lack precise control morphology powder. 1B depicted aggregated lots blocks. Figures 1C 1D expressed powder 50:50 mass ratio. observed natural state, particles adhered surface large bulk. To assess electrolyte, density-voltage (I-V) current density-power (I-P) curves evaluated. study, four prepared according different ratios (45:55 1, 2, 55:45 3, 60:40 4. 2A depicts H2 air oxidant 550°C. Obviously, composition influences assembled initially increase content, then decrease content increased 60 wt %. When ratio (cell 2), highest density 792.5 open-circuit voltage 1.006 V achieved Moreover, 2 optimum underwent tests 2B discovered delivered exciting 634.063 500 430°C, 420 410°C Evenly 370°C. unexpected indicated has advantage EIS carried out peer 2. 2C displays results range 450-370°C, inset equivalent circuit R0//R1Q1//R2Q2 simulation. lists fitting parameters simulating, wherein Q non-ideal capacitor known constant phase element (CPE). Ohm resistance (R0) made up well transfer electrode. 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Mixed conductive Effects pellet thickness.J. 2012; 217: 164-169https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.05.045Crossref (71) Because accelerate migration ohmic decreases rises shown. when increases 370 Rp 0.999 Ω cm2 0.212 cm2. significant note lowest just demonstrating catalytical activity NCAL temperature.Table 2The resultsT (°C)R0Q1n1R1Q2n2R2RpASR4500.09350.50120.66670.04923.01800.57420.16270.21190.13564300.11480.58950.63510.06181.63500.56400.22020.28200.18044100.13599.06400.68470.06440.35590.61330.30390.36830.23573900.15580.25880.78550.18250.63330.55240.35480.53730.34393700.18881.87000.44120.38820.15750.73030.61090.99910.6394 3A showed XRD scratch tested cell, operated H2/air atmosphere 1h. peaks located 30.1°, 34.9°, 50.1°, 59.6° 73.6° indexed (1 0 1), (0 3) 4) planes fluorite (JCPDS NO. 82–1244)，these 21.1°, 30°, 36.9°, 42.9°, 53.2°, 62.3° 70.7° corresponded (2 0), (4 4 0) (6 BZY our previous report,29He Sivajee Compositing protonic BaZr0.5Y0.5O3 triple BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3-δ (BCFZY) advanced 46: 9799-9808https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.06.102Crossref (13) indicating (50:50) no longer original material. atmosphere, two-phase unstable, on-line reacted portion (BZY), subsequently recombined Thus during pre-treated H2. experimental section described, all 1h before testing make sure finished. 3B typical spectrum primarily originate vibration modes, lattice disorder may exacerbated result mutual diffusion levels. roughly 465 cm−1 718 mode BZY,30Nuñez Balanay M.J. 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No cracks area, close both sides, compatible coefficient magnified image 4B. case unlike normal high-temperature sintered consisted abundant grain boundaries. However, tightly packed together, aren’t obvious continuous pores penetrating cracks. Thus, likewise thought airtight noted other papers.38Chen Geng Electrochemical structured electrolyte.Int. 43: 12765-12772https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.04.006Crossref (56) detailed cathode anode 4C 4D, porous nature makes easier diffuse it. exhibited compared cathode. side micrometer sphere, composed small visible sphere obliterated 4E–4K show mapping view. uniform distribution Ba, Zr, Y O elements interlayer confirms existence BaZrY-oxide membrane. nitrogen detected membrane, consistent results, proving treating material, responsible Ni, Co, Al bilateral layers. region larger than region. discrepancy Owing sensitivity restrictions EDS detectors, tiny atomic too light detected. TEM observe microstructure ground dispersed ethanol ultrasonic treatment. samples dropped onto lacey carbon grid dried complete sample characterization. low-resolution picture 5A 5F. exhibit fuzzy boundaries wide distribution. 5B–5E associated TEM-EDS image. Different represented colors. presented, composite, Ba lower right corner correspond phase, situated upper left Both phases possessed Zr element, area. components allows us deduce metal oxidation More importantly, regions numerous over overlapping region, offer pathways improve conductivity.39Srinivas Reddy Bauri Size-controlled growth spherical nanoparticles perovskite.Appl. Phys. 122: 428https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-016-9982-1Crossref charge route established crucial HR-TEM displayed 5G 5H. fringes space 0.2096 0.2477 1) crystal 2) lattices spacings 0.2971 0.2169 nm, possible see composites, these numbers interfaces help conduction. addition (h), (shown white arrows) fringe surrounding assumed substance quite environment sequence reactions take place inside part whereas reacts H2O test Ba(OH)2. Finally, Ba(OH)2 CO2 BaCO3. underlying reason temperature, characterized compressed loading MPa obtain cylinder pellets, brushed Pt paste Ag test. Then linear scan (LSV) adopted characterize temperature. detailed, swept -1V–1V applied sides pellets response recorded digital source instrument (Keithley 2460), calculated slope I-V curves, consideration dimension. relationship described thermally activated Arrhenius equation as:ln(σT)=lnA−EakT(Equation where pre-exponential factor, T absolute k Boltzmann constant, Ea order Ea, relation ln(σT) 1/T, fitted line. obtained plot ln(σТ) versus reciprocal function 6A motion found 0.41 eV 400–500°C curve, within needed state active likely occur relatively low, 6B gives curve atmosphere; inferred temperatures. 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