Direct ammonia proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells prepared by a modified suspension spray

A dense BaCe0.8Sm0.2O3-delta (BCSO) membrane was fabricated by a modified suspension spraying on porous NiO-BCSO anode support. In the process, the suspension was directly prepared by ball-milling the BaCO3, CeO2, and Sm2O3 powders in ethanol. A dense and uniform electrolyte layer in the thickness of 10 mu m was successfully prepared on porous anode support by suspension spray process after co-sintering at 1,400 degrees C for 5 h. With Nd0.7Sr0.3MnO3-sigma (NSMO) cathode, a single cell was assembled and tested with hydrogen and ammonia as fuels, respectively. The hydrogen-fueled cell exhibits 1.01 V for open circuit voltage (OCV) and 560 mW/cm(2) for peak power density at 700 degrees C. In comparison, the cell in ammonia displays a similar performance (1.02 V for OCV and 530 mW/cm(2) for output), which indicates the liquid ammonia is a promising substitute for hydrogen. Moreover, the fuel cell displays good interface contacts. To sum up, ammonia-fueled solid oxide fuel cells prepared by this simple suspension spray is an alternative way to promote the commercialization.