Exceptional power density and stability at intermediate temperatures in protonic ceramic fuel cells
Abstract
Over the past several years, important strides have been made in demonstrating protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs). Such fuel cells offer the potential of environmentally sustainable and cost-effective electric power generation. However, their power outputs have lagged behind predictions based on their high electrolyte conductivities. Here we overcome PCFC performance and stability challenges by employing a high-activity cathode, PrBa_(0.5)Sr_(0.5)Co_(1.5)Fe_(0.5)O_(5+δ) (PBSCF), in combination with a chemically stable electrolyte, BaZr_(0.4)Ce_(0.4)Y_(0.1)Yb_(0.1)O_3 (BZCYYb4411). We deposit a thin dense interlayer film of the cathode material onto the electrolyte surface to mitigate contact resistance, an approach which is made possible by the proton permeability of PBSCF. The peak power densities of the resulting fuel cells exceed 500 mW cm^(−2) at 500 °C, while also offering exceptional, long-term stability under CO_2.
Additional Information
© 2018 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature. Received: 18 August 2017; Accepted: 18 December 2017; Published online: 12 February 2018. This research was funded in part by the US Department of Energy, through ARPA-e Contract DE-AR0000498, via subcontract from United Technologies Research Center, and by the National Science Foundation, DMR-1505103. Selected facilities used were supported by the National Science Foundation via Northwestern University's MRSEC, DMR-1121262. Author Contributions: S.M.H led the development of the concept, guided the experimental design, and supervised the research. S.C. developed the materials, fabricated the cells, and performed the following experiments and analyses: conductivity, thermogravimetry, fuel cell polarization, and impedance spectroscopy. Y.L. and X.Z. prepared and characterized PLD microdot electrodes, on which C.J.K. performed electrochemical measurements. I.T. supervised PLD film growth and characterization. H.-I. J. provided critical suggestions for experimental and analytical methods. S.M.H. and S.C. wrote the paper with contributions from all authors. Data availability: The data that support the plots within this paper and other findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.Attached Files
Supplemental Material - 41560_2017_85_MOESM1_ESM.pdf
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Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 85621
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41560-017-0085-9
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20180404-154241394
- Department of Energy (DOE)
- DE-AR0000498
- ARPA-E
- DMR-1505103
- NSF
- DMR-1121262
- NSF
- Created
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2018-04-05Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-15Created from EPrint's last_modified field