Fabrication and performance of anode-supported proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells based on BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ electrolyte by multi-layer aqueous-based co-tape casting

Although proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (PCFCs) is superior to traditional fuel cells,the two main challenges for restricting the experimental research and the commercialization of PCFCs application are its high manufacturing cost and difficulty in scale-up. In addition, the aqueous-based tape casting process as a novel strategy has been widely applied in fabricating thin, large-scale, cost-effective and environment-friendly electrolyte layer. In this paper, an 80 mm × 80 mm anode-supported proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cell is obtained through combining the multi-layer aqueous-based tape casting and co-sintering technology. The configuration of PCFCs is NiO-BaZr 0.1 Ce 0.7 Y 0.1 Yb 0.1 O 3-δ (BZCYYb)/BZCYYb (∼12 μm)/La 0.6 Sr 0.4 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3-δ (LSCF)-BZCYYb. The performance of the cell with homogeneous microstructure reaches 389 mW cm −2 at 800 °C in condition of 3% humidified hydrogen as fuel and normal air as oxidant. Combined with the successful experience of previous work, this work can provide theoretical and statistical accumulation and reference for future assembly of large-scale PCFCs. • An 80 mm × 80 mm anode-supported PCFC was fabricated by aqueous-based co-tape casting. • The cell's structure was NiO-BZCYYb/BZCYYb/LSCF-BZCYYb. • A stable and uniform tape casting slurry formulation was obtained. • The peak power density reached 354, 299 and 232 mW cm −2 at 750, 700 and 650 °C. • The cell showed an acceptable stability for ∼100 h operation.