Structure and performance of Pr, Sm, Y co-doped cerium-based electrolyte for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

In this paper, Pr, Sm, Y co-doped CeO2-based PrxYxSm0.2-2xCe0.8O2-delta (x = 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, abbreviated as PYSC1, PYSC2 and PYSC3) electrolytes were successfully synthesized and investigated its properties as intermediate-temperature Solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The PrxYxSm0.2-2xCe0.8O2-delta electrolytes have formed a cubic fluorite structure after calcined at 600 degrees C. Raman spectra show that Sm, Pr, Y co-doped effectively increases the oxygen vacancy concentration. At 800 degrees C, the conductivity of PYSC1 electrolyte is about 0.125 Scm(-1), higher than that of Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC) (similar to 0.096 Scm(-1)) electrolyte. The conductivity of PYSC1 electrolyte maintains good stability within 60 h in air. The open circuit voltage and maximum power density of single cell with the configuration of Ni0.9Cu0.1O-Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9/PYSC1/La0.6Ba0.4Co0.8Fe0.2O3-delta are 0.74 V and 674.6mWcm(-2), respectively. Therefore, PYSC1 would be a promising electrolyte material in IT-SOFCs.