A modified suspension spray combined with particle gradation method for preparation of protonic ceramic membrane fuel cells

Abstract

In order to prepare a dense proton-conductive Ba(Zr0.1Ce0.7)Y0.2O3-δ (BZCY7) electrolyte membrane, a proper anode composition with 65% Ni2O3 in weight ratio was determined after investigating the effects of anode compositions on anode shrinkages for co-sintering. The thermal expansion margins between sintered anodes and electrolytes, which were less than 1% below 750 °C, also showed good thermal expansion compatibility. A suspension spray combined with particle gradation method had been introduced to prepare dense electrolyte membrane on porous anode support. After a heat treatment at 1400 °C for 5 h, a cell with La0.5Sr0.5CoO3-δ (LSCO) cathode was assembled and tested with hydrogen and ammonia as fuels. The outputs reached as high as 330 mW cm-2 in hydrogen and 300 mW cm-2 in ammonia at 700 °C, respectively. Comparing with the interface of another cell prepared by dry-pressing method, this one also showed a good interface contact between electrodes and electrolyte. To sum up, this combined technique can be considered as commercial fabrication technology candidate. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.