OXIDE-ION CONDUCTIVITY OF BISMUTH ALUMINATES

Novel compounds in the Bi-Al-O and La-Bi-Al-O systems were prepared and tested for conductivity at high temperatures (500-800-degrees-C) in an oxygen gradient cell. The purpose is to develop an electrolyte material that will permit operation of a solid oxide fuel cell at 500-800-degrees-C instead of the 1000-degrees-C now used. The Bi-Al-O and La-Bi-Al-O compounds were found to have conductivities of about 10(-2) OMEGA-1 cm-1 and 10(-1) OMEGA-1 cm-1 at 800-degrees-C, respectively, in an oxygen gradient and may have the needed conductivity and stability toward humidified hydrogen for use as fuel cell electrolytes.