BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3−δ proton-conducting electrolyte prepared by gel-casting for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3−δ (BZCY7) perovskite oxide was prepared by gel-casting and solid-state reaction techniques as proton-conducting electrolyte for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs). X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the phase formation temperature of BZCY7 powder synthesized by gel-casting was 100–150 °C lower than that by solid-state reaction method. The BZCY7 electrolytes prepared by gel-casting exhibited better sintering activity and higher electrical conductivity. After sintering at 1550 °C for 5 h, the relative density and electrical conductivity of the gel-casting derived BZCY7 reached 95% and 5 × 10−3 S/cm in H2 (∼3% H2O) at 500 °C. However, for the solid-state reaction method, the sample had a relative density of 86% and electrical conductivity of 2 × 10−3 S/cm under the same condition.