Enhanced chemical stability and electrochemical performance of BaCe0.8Y0.1Ni0.04Sm0.06O3- perovskite electrolytes as proton conductors

Although doped BaCeO 3 electrolytes are proton conductors that undergo the fast conduction processes of inter-mediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs), their wide application is impeded by their poor chemical stability under water vapour or CO 2 conditions. In this work, we selected the metallic cations with suitable electronegativity to improve the perovskite crystal structures of BaCeO 3 to enhance the chemical stability and electrochemical performance. We utilized Ni and Sm cations to improve the chemical stability of BaCeO 3 electrolytes in water vapour and CO 2 via a novel synthesis method, and the results revealed that the BaCe 0.8 Y 0.1 Ni 0.04 Sm 0.06 O 3- δ electrolyte, -with high electrochemical performance and chemical stability-, is a promising electrolyte material for conduction in IT-SOFCs. The optimum result offers new insights into synthesizing the membrane of IT-SOFCs for their application.