Additive effect of NiO on electrochemical properties of mixed ion conductor BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ

Perovskite-type mixed protonic and oxide ionic conductors for electrolyte material of solid oxide fuel cells were investigated, focusing on BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3-delta (BZCYYb) due to its high ionic conductivity and chemical stability. BZCYYb and NiO-added BZCYYb were evaluated using electrolyte-supported cell (ESC) and anode-supported cell (ASC) samples. 2 wt.% NiO was solid solute into the BZCYYb, resulting in improvement in the sinterability and thermal-expansion behavior. The addition of NiO, however, lead to the deterioration of cell performance. Compared with the ESC, power density of the ASC was much higher due to thin electrolyte, whereas its open-circuit voltage (OCV) was lower. This is due to Ni diffusion from the NiO-BZCYYb anode into the BZCYYb electrolyte during high-temperature co-sintering process at 1350 degrees C. From the results of OCV measurements, 0-2 wt.% NiO was considered to be dissolved in the BZCYYb electrolyte of the ASC, suggesting that controlling Ni diffusion during co-sintering process is essential to achieve higher-performance ASCs using BZCYYb. (C) 2017 The Ceramic Society of Japan. All rights reserved.