Robust doped BaCeO electrolyte for IT-SOFCs.

Single phase polycrystalline BaZrCeYYbO electrolyte material was prepared by solid state reaction route. Rietveld analysis of the XRD data confirms the tetragonal symmetry in the I4/mcm space group with unit cell parameters of a = b = 6.0567(3) Å and c = 8.5831(5) Å. The addition of ZnO as a sintering additive was found to reduce the sintering temperature and enhance both overall sinterability and grain growth. Sintering temperature was reduced by 200-300 °C, and a very high relative density of about 98% was achieved at 1400 °C. Impedance spectroscopy in humidified 5% H/Ar atmosphere shows that the protonic conductivity at 600 °C was 8.60 × 10 S cm. Thermal analysis performed in pure CO atmosphere shows very good chemical stability up to 1200 °C. Good biaxial flexure strength of 100-200 MPa was reported which makes this material a promising electrolyte material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]