One-Step Fabrication of Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells Using a Convenient Tape Calendering Method

Abstract

The present paper reports the preparation of multilayer protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) using a single sintering step. The success of this fabrication approach is due to two main factors: the rational choice of chemically and mechanically compatible components, as well as the selection of a convenient preparation (tape calendering) method. The PCFCs prepared in this manner consisted of a 30 µm BaCe0.5Zr0.3Dy0.2O3–δ (BCZD) electrolyte layer, a 500 μm Ni–BCZD supporting electrode layer and a 20 μm functional Pr1.9Ba0.1NiO4+δ (PBN)–BCZD cathode layer. These layers were jointly co-fired at 1350 °C for 5 h to reach excellent gas-tightness of the electrolyte and porous structures for the supported and functional electrodes. The adequate fuel cell performance of this PCFC design (400 mW cm−2 at 600 °C) demonstrates that the tape calendering method compares well with such conventional laboratory PCFC preparation techniques such as co-pressing and tape-casting.

Materials development and prospective for protonic ceramic fuel cells

“…For instance, Mu et al 231 presented a unique digital approach which integrates precise micro extrusion of 3D printing and fast laser processing for achieving several developmental processes in PCFC fabrication such as sintering, drying, cutting and polishing. Tarutin et al 232 also introduced a one-step sintering F I G U R E 1 6 RePCC operating in (A) protonic ceramic fuel cell mode and (B) protonic ceramic electrolysis mode. Where HER, hydrogen evolution reaction; ORR, oxygen reduction reaction; OER, oxygen evolution reaction; HOR, hydrogen oxidation reaction.…”

Perspectives on Cathodes for Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells

“…Babiniec et al [183] made use of a thick, porous BZCY71 ba bone, which was infiltrated with La2NiO4+δ nanoparticles for hydrogen-flux measu ments. Similarly, nanoparticles of (Pr0.9La0.1)2(Ni0.74Cu0.21Nb0.05)O4+δ were infiltrated on surface of a BCZY71 skeleton with a load of 46 wt % to achieve an MPD of 0.770 W•c at 700 °C; the cell was operated without degradation for 200 h at 600 °C [184] Tarutin et al [185] employed a Pr1.9Ba0.1NiO4+δ-BaCe0.5Zr0.3Dy0.2O3−δ composite ca ode, which was deposited by tape calendaring and co-sintered in a single step w BaCe0.5Zr0.3Dy0.2O3−δ electrolyte and Ni-BaCe0.5Zr0.3Dy0.2O3−δ anode layers; cell performan was reported as 0.470 W•cm −2 at 600 °C. A similar composite of Pr2NiO4-BCZY62 was us in electrolysis mode in a thin film BCZY62-based single cell, achieving a current dens of 0.977 A•cm −2 at an electrolysing potential of 1.3 V [186] (Figure 8).…”

Distortion prediction during sintering using Monte Carlo method implemented with virtual springs

“…As a result, such components comprise only countable layers, and thus, the analysis of behavior of individual particles in the layers has become increasingly important. Ceramic fuel cells 5,6 are important applications that offer a clean and efficient means of producing electricity through a variety of fuels. However, the miniaturization of these fuel cells is still a challenge.…”