A novel cobalt-free layered perovskite-type GdBaFeNiO5+δ cathode material for proton-conducting intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

The GdBaFeNiO5+delta (GBFN) oxide is prepared by the citric-nitrate process and investigated as a novel cathode material for proton-conducting intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The conductivities of GBFN reach a maximum of 112 S cm(-1) under argon, 161 S cm(-1) under air and 185 S cm(-1) under oxygen at 375 degrees C. An anode-supported BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3-alpha (BZCY) electrolyte membrane is successfully fabricated by a simple, cost-effective spin coating process. Peak power densities of the hydrogen/air fuel cell using BZCY electrolyte membrane and GBFN cathode reach 171 mW cm(-2) at 600 degrees C, 280 mW cm(-2) at 650 degrees C and 456 mW cm(-2) at 700 degrees C, respectively. The interfacial polarization resistance (R-p) for the fuel cell is as low as 0.15 Omega cm(2) at 700 degrees C under open circuit conditions. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.