INTERMEDIATE TEMPERATURE SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS USING CERIA-BASED COMPOSITE ELECTROLYTES

Novel ceramic composite electrolytes based on doped ceria-inorganic salt/hydroxide were developed and demonstrated great potential for intermediate temperature (IT, 400-800°C) solid oxide fuel cells (ITSOFCs). The inorganic salts or hydroxides used here are mainly alkaline/alkaline earth chlorides/fluorides/ hydroxides. The co-existence of both H⁺ and O²⁻ conduction was found in these composite electrolytes. This makes the transport mechanism of both charge carriers more complex than conventional electrolytes. Fuel cells based on these composite electrolytes show good performance at intermediate temperatures. A peak power density of 200-400mW/cm² at a current density of 400-800mA/cm² was achieved at 400-750°C. This makes them new candidates of electrolytes for future ITSOFCs.