Proton Conducting Fuel Cells Using the Indium-doped Cerium Diphosphate Electrolyte

• Main Authors: M.V. Le, D.S. Tsai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: AIDIC Servizi S.r.l. 2017-03-01
• Series: Chemical Engineering Transactions
• Online Access: https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/1472

Proton conductivity of indium-doped cerium diphosphate (CeP2O7) was investigated to explore its potential for application as an electrolyte in intermediate temperature fuel cells. The In3+-doped CeP2O7 powder was synthesized by the digestion of metal oxide in a phosphoric acid solution. The structure and ion conductivity of In3+ doped CeP2O7 were analyzed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Under humidified conditions, the In3+- doped CeP2O7 exhibited sufficient conductivity in the intermediate temperature range. The maximum ionic conductivity of Ce0.95In0.05P2O7 was 2.31x10-2 Scm-1 at 180 °C. The maximum power density of the H2/air fuel cells fabricated using the Ce0.95In0.05P2O7 electrolyte (0.40 mm thickness) was 54.4 mWcm-2 generated at 220 oC. The results indicate that Ce0.95In0.05P2O7 is a promising material for the fabrication of intermediate temperature fuel cells.