Triple-Conducting Layered Perovskites as Cathode Materials for Proton-Conducting Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

We report on an excellent anode-supported H⁺-SOFC material system using a triple conducting (H⁺/O^2-/e^-) oxide (TCO) as a cathode material for H⁺-SOFCs. Generally, mixed ionic (O^2-) and electronic conductors (MIECs) have been selected as the cathode material of H⁺-SOFCs. In an H⁺-SOFC system, however, MIEC cathodes limit the electrochemically active sites to the interface between the proton conducting electrolyte and the cathode. New approaches to the tailoring of cathode materials for H⁺-SOFCs should therefore be considered. TCOs can effectively extend the electrochemically active sites from the interface between the cathode and the electrolyte to the entire surface of the cathode. The electrochemical performance of NBSCF/BZCYYb/BZCYYb-NiO shows excellent long term stability for 500 h at 1023 K with high power density of 1.61 Wcm^-2.