Intermediate temperature fuel cells based on doped ceria-LiCl-SrCl2 composite electrolyte

A new type of oxide-salt composite electrolyte, gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC)-LiCl-SrCl2, was developed and demonstrated its promising use for intermediate temperature (400-700 degreesC) fuel cells (ITFCs). The dc electrical conductivity of this composite electrolyte (0.09-0.13 S cm(-1) at 500-650 degreesC) was 3-10 times higher than that of the pure GDC electrolyte, indicating remarkable proton or oxygen ion conduction existing in the LiCl-SrCl2 chloride salts or at the interface between GDC and the chloride salts. Using this composite electrolyte, peak power densities of 260 and 510 mW cm(-2), with current densities of 650 and 1250 mA cm(-2) were achieved at 550 and 625 degreesC, respectively. This makes the new material a good candidate electrolyte for future low-cost ITFCs. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.